Critical Analysis of an Essay “Shooting an Elephant”
← Critical Analysis of James Q. WilsonРІР‚в„ўs Article “Against the Legalization of Drugs” |
“Shooting an Elephant” is an essay by George Orwell written in 1936. Sometimes, it is referred to as a short story. The story unfolds in 1920s in Burma, in a town of Moulmein. Burma of those times is not sovereign; it is a part of India obeying the conqueror only in broad daylight. The author describes petty jeers of the natives who despise “sahibs” in reality. Astonishingly, the author himself being a part of the imperialistic apparatus supports the oppressed Burmese. Orwell describes an accident with an elephant (supposedly autobiographical). The elephant is in the “must” and goes crazy damaging property and killing people. The author murders the elephant supported by numerous natives. The character acts against his common sense and is not willing to kill the elephant. Shooting does not kill the animal right away and the elephant lies suffering in agony and dying for another half an hour.
Emotional bond with the reader is created through the heart-wrenching story of the kill. “Somehow, it always seems worse to kill a large animal” (Orwell). The picture of the dead Dravidian (lower-caste Indian) is even crueler, but this villager is only a collateral damage of taming wild animals and using them as domestic labor. The willful homicide of an unsuspecting animal, on the other hand, is a different thing. “I did not want to shoot the elephant. I watched him beating his bunch of grass against his knees, with that preoccupied grandmotherly air that elephants have” (Orwell). Ethical conflict of the writer with himself after the shot is more obvious than the conflict with the imperialistic regime. Moral and legal justification of the author is only superficial. He does not feel guiltless at all.
The overall mood of the essay is sullen and stuffy as the air of the village where the action takes place. The main character is weak among the weak. He is the same slave of the British regime, but an outsider for the Burmese. In contrast to these weak, we see the one, who is strong: the elephant. This strong one will be stabbed in the back. In the portrayal of this scene, Orwell foreknows the death of the British Empire illustrating his prophecy with the symbol of the dying elephant. No suspense can be hold up to the end, even though, the main character hesitates. The author has scarcely taken the rifle when we know it will shoot. The story reaches its climax as soon as the soldier has “pulled the trigger.”
Metaphors are numerous all over the essay. The author speaks of himself as “an absurd puppet pushed to and fro by the will of those yellow faces behind,” “hollow, posing dummy.” Similes are not less figurative than metaphors. The blood of the elephant “welled out of him like red velvet.” The elephant himself “looked no more dangerous than a cow” and “seemed to tower upward like a huge rock toppling, his trunk reaching skyward like a tree.” Applied techniques make us feel present at the specific period of time. Author controls reader’s compassion and loathing.
Persuasive images of the shot elephant and a man shooting him successfully depict the conflicts that are topical for time and place. The dying elephant struggles for his life (as does the Empire) even though he is doomed to die. The British does not want to shoot, it is against his moral values, but he has to do it because of his spinelessness. The downtrodden Burman makes us see “the dirty work of Empire at close quarters.” The strategies of the author are image-bearing and convincing. The ways of convincing are probably debatable. The World Wildlife Fund would possibly sign a petition against this essay if “Shooting an Elephant” were published this year. However, it will not change the fact that the British Empire perished only in 1997. Apparently, “the elephant” was dying much longer than Orwell had ever expected or foreseen.
- Critical Analysis of James Q. Wilson’s Article “Against the Legalization of Drugs”
- An Analysis of “Shooting Dad”
![]() |
Phil E.
South Hadley, MA
|
|
So often, when one deals with customer service, he or she is treated rudely. That was not the case with EssaysEmpire.com. The agents were helpful and friendly, knowledable and concerned. I, for one, was astounded with their competence. When it came down to the actual written material that I ordered, it was much better than I had anticipated. There are clearly some expert writers who work for EssaysEmpire.com. I would rate this writing service as exceptional, 5 stars out of 5 stars. I will happily return when I need help with another written work. |
![]() |
Mark R.
Seattle, WA
|
|
I am so happy with my term paper. The writer did a spectacular job!! Thanks to the writing team and also to the customer service team. |
![]() |
Hillary M.
Santa Cruz, CA
|
|
I received 100 points out of a possible 100 for the paper that you wrote for me. |
![]() |
Ramona R.
Sparks, NV
|
|
Thank you for doing such stellar work on my paper. How anyone could write a paper this well on a subject this boring, is beyond me. When I tried to write it myself, I thought it would have put my professor to sleep! Your writers made it sound so interesting! I really appreciate that. Thanks a million! |
![]() |
Marcella M.
Lexington, KY
|
|
Dear EssaysEmpire.com, I am very happy with the work that your writers did for me. I was impressed by the plagiarism report, too. Thanks for everything! |
![]() |
Kyle N.
Tempe, AZ
|
|
Dear Sirs: I have just placed my third order from EssaysEmpire.com this term. I feel confident that my paper will be written on time and that the quality of it will be out of the ballpark. The first two papers I ordered from you got A+ marks, and I know this one will, too. It is so great to be able to sit back and concern myself with my reading and exams while you do the difficult writing projects for me. That is really great. You guys are a class act! |
![]() |
Mike G.
Rochester, NY
|
|
Your writing service is different from other writing services. Yours is the only one I have ever dealt with that I can truthfully say is legitimate. The staff is very professional. The writers are the best in the business. I am pleased with the results of my last three orders and plan to return for more soon. |
![]() |
Cleo P.
Oakland, CA
|
|
I submitted my order as a ‘rush order’. I only had 2 days to get my paper finished and I just felt like I was sinking. I didn’t understand the material I was writing about, and I didn’t know what I was going to do. My friend recommended EssaysEmpire.com. I had very little lost by attempting to use this writing service, so I did. It was an excellent move on my part, because, not only was my paper finished on time. It was also excellently written. I will always be grateful to my friend for recommending your service. It is wonderful. |
![]() |
Judy C.
Bolingbrook, IL
|
|
I have used EssaysEmpire.com for two years now, and I wouldn’t even consider trying another writing service. I am convinced that there is no other service as good as EssaysEmpire.com, and I only want to work with the best. EssaysEmpire.com has given me well written papers that have come in well before their deadlines, every time. I am happy with EssaysEmpire.com and commit to sticking with them. |
![]() |
Sharon S.
Dallas, TX
|
|
I greatly appreciate your assistance. Writing has never been my strong point. When I needed help, EssaysEmpire.com gave it to me. I am completely satisfied! |
![]() |
Alexandra Z.
Dallas, TX
|
|
I am sitting here reading over what your writing service offers and I just realized that you are the only one that offers free rewrites and full guarantees on your work. This tells me that you are an honest company that I want to do business with. |
![]() |
Kris K.
San Francisco, CA
|
|
I would like to say thanks to writer #48376 for doing such an astonishing job on my paper. I really gave him very little to go on. Still, he was able to do the research and come up with a champion paper for me. I am speechless. I didn’t expect anything nearly this good. |
![]() |
Ren B.
Sparks, NV
|
|
I ordered two papers from you at once. Both of them had strict deadlines and not that much time left. Your writers managed to get both papers to me on time, and both of them received high marks. I am so happy about this! |
![]() |
Bruce R.
Tulsa, OK
|
|
Thanks for everything. You guys know how to write so well! I will call on you again in the future. |
![]() |
Jeff M.
Baltimore, MD
|
|
I would like to commend your excellent writers for a job well done. They followed my directions to a tee. Thank you, EssaysEmpire.com for being who you are and for doing what you do. There is no better writing service anywhere. |
![]() |
Anne A.
Cambridge, MA
|
|
You dudes are awesome! Wow! I can’t believe I got an A+ on my paper! At best, I expected a B or C! |
![]() |
Royce B.
Dallas, TX
|
|
It is so refreshing to work with a writing service as professional as EssaysEmpire.com. Everything from your website, to your customer service workers to the writing itself, is top rate. I recommend you highly to anyone who will listen. |
![]() |
Tom J.
Jackson, MI
|
|
Many thanks to your writers and customer service representatives for helping me get through a very difficult time in my college career. I needed writing assistance and your crew came through for me, big time! My papers were written impeccably. Thanks so much! |
![]() |
Marcus H.
Eugene, OR
|
|
You’ve done it again! Every time I order a paper from EssaysEmpire.com, you top the last one. This latest one was the best yet. I truly do appreciate the fact that you offer such high quality writing. It never fails. With some of the other writing services online, you ever really know what you are going to get. Sometimes, they just sell you a paper that someone else has already bought. I never have to worry about things like that happening when I use EssaysEmpire.com. |
![]() |
Cleo C.
Wichita, KS
|
|
To the writers at EssaysEmpire.com: Next week, I will be graduating with a degree in clinical psychology. Over the course of my college years, I have had to turn to you for help many times. Each and every time, you produced some of the highest quality writing my professors had ever seen. Because of you, I was able to keep a high grade point average and get into an excellent grad school. There are simply no words adequate enough to fully express my appreciation, so I’ll simply say, “thank you” and let it go at that. Please know that you are appreciated. |