We are left at the end wondering if shooting the elephant was really the best action for Orwell to have taken. Did shooting the elephant begin to cut his ties with the imperial force, or with his moral disposition? His ambivalence nonetheless brings out his true character and vulnerability. Furthermore, we see him as a victim, being influenced by “the army” of Burmans, although he in fact is the murderer. This alone shows us the persuasion of ambivalent tone, ironic, but true.
Junxiang Chen Ms. Poindexter-Turk AP Language and Composition April 26, 2015 Shoot an Elephant Test Correction * Orwell’s attitude toward his own position in relation to imperialism is one of: E. ambivalence * The reason why the answer is “E. ambivalence” is because that “As for job I was doing, I hated it more bitterly than I can perhaps make clear”. We have seen that in this sentence, author is really dislike the British Empire, he hate his job as being a soldier in the Burma. But he also want to work for them. So here is kind of contradictory that even though he hates the British Empire, but he still work for them, and these action has reflect the definition of ambivalence.
These European empires believed it was, “the white man’s burden” to civilize the people they called heathens and savages of these countries. However, as Imperialism was broken down, the question of whether or not European conquerors were ever in control remains. In “Shooting an Elephant”, George Orwell first reveals his opposition to imperialism. Then, through the parallels between the British Empire and a Burmese elephant and the action of shooting the elephant, Orwell points out the incomplete control of the British Empire over Burma which also represents the breakdown of imperialism. Although the author was working as a police officer for the British Emperor, he strongly opposed the idea of Imperialism.
He is baffled by Mr. Chiu’s remarks, “If only I could kill all the bastards,” and thinks to himself how “ugly” his professor looks. (Jin 185) This is a clear sign that all the morals and principals are now gone in the character. Having refused on principle to sign a false confession, he has been consumed by sickness and negativity that he has no qualms about what he just did, but is still aware of what is going to happen. This is his way of punishing the province and the police that falsely accused him of sabotage, but ironically ended up creating a bigger demon that anyone could have
The lack of freedom as well as the inability to make my own decision since that was his rule is a common aspect founded in the other writings. I made a turning point in my life and decided to divorce. There is also an horrible mistake he made which I think is very personal and I truly can not share that one with you but I give you permission to think that idea was cruel. My turning point relates to Dr .King’s letter in the sense that he mentioned the humiliation that black people endure back then. For instance,’’…When you are humiliated day in and out by nagging signs reading’’white ‘’and
True Meaning of Imperialism In George Orwell’s essay, Shooting an Elephant, he illustrates his experiences as a British police officer, and the nature of imperialism. He hates his job as a public official in Moulmein because of an “anti-European feeling was very bitter” due to the British Empire’s presence in Burma. The shooting of the elephant gives Orwell a glimpse of the real nature of imperialism. In order to express the effects of imperialism, Orwell demonstrates his enlightening incidence by using appropriate tone and mood. From his experiences and feelings of living under imperialism, Orwell efficiently shows the terrible effects of imperialism.
This source is useful because it shows what soldiers have apparently said about Haig. However, knowing that John hated Haig, he most likely only chose to publish the negative things about him, taking what soldiers have said minus the positive things. From the way this source is written a very negative and biased opinion is very noticeable ‘There can never be forgiveness for their sheer incompetence’ proving that what John Laffin has written is biased, This source also shows me what Haig and the other generals were doing during the war and that is why I find it reliable. Another very useful source is source B2, this source was written by P.Smith, a soldier at the Somme, it was written in 1916. This source is useful to me because it is coming from a man’s point of view; that was actually there and saw what went on ‘It was pure bloody murder.
Heart of Darkness Theme Essay: Race In Joseph Conrad's novella Heart of Darkness, Marlow is shocked to see mans inhumanity to man from how he and his men treat or call the natives. And the mission of “civilizing” and “enlightening” native people because they are to savage for salvation. Also the divide of races of black and white adds to the themes that Conrad uses of light and darkness, good and evil. The use of white as good and black as evil is challenged when we view it through the theme of race. “A lot of people, mostly black and naked, moved about like ants.” Conrad's statement shows that the person (either Marlow or narrator) see the natives as tiny little insects.
1. Compare and contrast the conflicts faced by Orwell in “Shooting an Elephant” to those faced by Gideon in “No Witchcraft for Sale.” To what unique revelation does Orwell’s position as a police officer lead him? How can Gideon’s ultimate decision not to share his knowledge be interpreted as an act of rebellion and an assertion of the dignity and worth of his culture? Answer: Orwell's conflict was in shooting the elephant, and Gideon's was in sharing the medicinal secret that cured Teddy's eyes. Though both characters' conflict was similar in that truly the conflict was in how each of them felt.
This, and the conflict leading up to their subjugation, created a climate of intense animosity towards the British that Orwell experienced first hand when he described “sneering yellow faces of young men that met me everywhere” and how he felt “hated by large number of people” and that he was “baited whenever it seemed safe to do so” by the Burmese people. These are all examples of how Orwell experienced the Burmese’ purveying and intense hostility towards their oppressors, and Orwell himself as a member of the British regime. The Burmese hated the British, but they also feared and respected their power; specifically the power of their “magical rifle”. Yet, despite that fear and respect, the weight of their sheer numbers and the indelible culture that surrounded the British and their powerful weapons was so profound that it determined the decision that Orwell made; the decision