Shooting an Elephant: A critical appreciation Essay Example

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Orwell's biographical and fictional works are known for his acknowledgment and admiration of hard facts. In Shooting an Elephant, he highlights the fundamental truth of the inherent wickedness and immorality found in the imperialist endeavor. The narrator openly expresses that his role as a police officer allowed him to directly witness the "dirty work of Empire." Additionally, the story presents another perspective by illustrating that the agents of the empire, who are assigned to various colonies, themselves become victims. They endure long voyages across the seas and spend extensive periods in foreign lands, separated from their homes and families. Consequently, the plight of colonial officers is even more distressing than that of their subjects.

Reference: Orwell, George (1968) [1958]. Selected Writings. Heinemann Educational Books. ISBN 0-435-13675-5.

George Orwell’s Shooting an Elephant is a remarkable short story that emerged towards the end of British colonialism. It draws on Orwell's personal experiences and recounts the challenges faced by a colonial officer in Burma. Assigned with the task of killing a rampaging Elephant that had already taken the life of an Indian coolie, the story reveals the impact of imperialism on its agents. This essay aims to demonstrate how the story highlights the role reversal, where the oppressor becomes the oppressed within the workings of imperialism.

According to Orwell's poignant observation in the story, the imperialists who use force and authority to suppress the locals end up suffering more. This is because of two reasons. Firstly, the imperial officer is compelled to perform acts that only serve to demonstrate his bravery and power. Secondly, the constant animosity from the locals deprives him of inner tranquility.