The build-up of finding the elephant is a metaphor itself showing the destructive power of imperialism: the elephant’s rampaging spree destroying homes, food shelves, and even killing a man whom Orwell described to have an expression of unendurable agony.
Furthermore, what is the elephant death scene in shooting an elephant most likely a metaphor for?
The elephant death scene in Shooting an Elephant is most likely a metaphor for the ineffectiveness of imperialism. The imperialists carried out a poor governance of a colonized country and this scene may be a metaphor for the imperialists’ misguided understanding of how their own system works.
Furthermore, what is the meaning of shooting an elephant? “Shooting an Elephant” is explicitly about the inner conflict that defines Orwell’s experience as a police officer for the British Raj in Burma. Orwell’s dilemma is, in part, absurd. He hates the regime that he represents as a policeman and whose mandate he furthermore enforces.
Beside this, what is the dominant symbol in the story Shooting an Elephant?
The unjust shooting of an elephant in Orwell’s story is the central focus from which Orwell builds his argument through the two dominant characters, the elephant and its executioner. The British officer, the executioner, acts as a symbol of the imperial country, while the elephant symbolizes the victim of imperialism.
What literary devices are used in shooting an elephant?
What will be discussed:
- POV – 1st person perspective.
- Diction & Description in relation to mood & tone.
- Imagery.
- The Figurative Language.
- Alliteration.
- Anaphora.
- Metaphors.
- Oxymoron.
14 Related Question Answers Found
Which excerpt from the essay most clearly portrays the Burmese?
The excerpt from “Shooting an Elephant” by George Orwell that most clearly portrays the Burmese with negative connotations is A. There were several thousands of (Buddhist priests) in the town and none of them seemed to have anything to do except stand on the street corners and jeer at Europeans.
Which statement best explains orwells feelings about his role as a British police officer living in Burma?
In “Shooting an Elephant”, the statement that best explains Orwell’s feelings about his role as a British police officer living in Burma is C. Orwell was frustrated by his position due to constant teasing by the Burmese people.
How does Orwell feel about imperialism?
Orwell expresses hostile feelings towards the imperialism, British justification for taking over the powers of the Burma people and the entire British Empire. Orwell gives his experience in Burma and the story shows the mood and feeling of a person experiencing British imperial break down.
What does the elephant symbolize?
This signifies the power of the elephant as a symbol. In Feng Shui, elephants can also symbolize good luck, wisdom, protection and fertility, depending on the position they’re depicted in. An elephant with its trunk raised up represents good luck, while fertility is symbolized when the trunk is down.
What is the theme of shooting an elephant?
One important theme of “Shooting an Elephant” is the conflict between conscience and imperialism. The narrator does not want to shoot the elephant, but the crowd is clamoring for him to do so, and
What is a Coringhee?
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, coolie was usually a term implying an indentured labourer from South Asia, South East Asia or China. In modern Indian popular culture, coolies have often been portrayed as working-class heroes or anti-heroes.
What is the value of the elephant?
The elephant is also valuable. He sacrifices something beautiful, almost human, and valuable simply to appease the needs of his ego. The elephant’s physical size is also important, for without the weapon, the narrator would be no match for it.
Is shooting an elephant an allegory?
The actual shooting of the elephant works as an allegory for the British colonial project in Burma. Orwell feels that it’s wrong to kill such a large and wild animal. This feeling represents the guilt of attempting to commandeer an entire culture and society.
What does the elephant’s slow death symbolize in shooting an elephant?
The fact that the elephant does not immediately die but remains paralyzed after being shot could symbolically represent the oppressed nature of the native Burmese citizens. Either way, the elephant’s slow, agonizing death symbolically represents the destructive, debilitating nature of colonialism.
What is the climax of shooting an elephant?
Climax: Influenced by the pressure from the crowd, the officer shoots the elephant multiple times before leaving it there. Falling Action: He walks away, feeling bad about his actions, as the elephant dies slowly.
What is the main conflict in shooting an elephant?
The most obvious conflict in “Shooting an Elephant” is the narrator’s unwillingness to shoot the elephant that went on a rampage. This conflicts with the perceived need for him to do so as a display of colonial strength and resolution.
Who is the intended audience for shooting an elephant?
The audience in “Shooting an Elephant” is Imperial Britain and the Europeans in general. Orwell is speaking to the British population about their Imperial government and how it is ineffective, hurtful, and oppressive to all. The essay has a very tragic tone to it.
How would you describe George Orwell’s feelings about killing the elephant?
Shooting the elephant for Orwell is symbolic of his role as a colonial police officer. Even if the Burmese are overawed by his authority as a police officer, they will always resent him. If he doesn’t shoot the elephant, then he’ll be considered weak as well as remaining a figure of hate.
Why does the narrator shoot the elephant?
The narrator in Orwell’s “Shooting an Elephant” does not believe that the elephant is dangerous. So, with thousands of Burmese behind him, as he held the gun on the elephant, the narrator felt that he could not back down, even though shooting the elephant was against his better judgment.