Role Of Authority In George Orwells Shooting An Elephant

If you were being pressured into doing something you didn’t want to do, would you do it? How would you feel being laughed at while holding a position of authority? In George Orwell’s narrative â€Å"Shooting an Elephant† you are walked through a series of events that led to his life changing experience. Britain’s imperialism was hard on many people. Burmese citizens mainly, but also the British officers. While reading this narrative I tried placing my self in the position of George Orwell. Thinking to myself â€Å"How would I react if this were me?† Of course I would do exactly what Orwell did. He didn’t have much of a choice. Holding a position of authority over a mass group of people is hard. It is even harder when they hate you. What makes it†¦show more content†¦He says he was mocked by Burmese men in the football fields, and was sneered at by the Buddhist priest. Orwell feels guilty for what he sees the Burmese going through. Though he is still not able to leave his job. Orwell picked up his ringing phone. â€Å"An elephant is ravaging the bazaar. Would you please come and do something about it?† Said the sub-inspector. Orwell did not know what to do but he wanted to see what was going on. He grabbed his gun which was too small to kill an elephant anyhow. Burmese did not have weapons so they were helpless. Orwell headed down toward the last sighting of the elephant only to be stopped by hundreds of Burmese. Orwell was told the Elephant had destroyed huts, killed a cow, and devoured the stock. As he headed into town he heard a women screaming â€Å"go away child!† He headed around the corner to find the Elephant had killed a coolie in the center of town. Orwell orders for a rifle that will take down the Elephant. Five cartridges and a rifle was handed to Orwell. Yelling and screaming from the excitement of the Burmese is all he could hear. Orwell heads down to the patty field where the Elephant was eating. Thousands of Burmese following triumphantly behind. Orwell stoped once he could see the Elephant. He saw a peaceful Elephant eating harmlessly. He did not want to shoot the Elephant. But he could not be laughed at and made a fool. Orwell contemplated what he should do. He had to make aShow MoreRelatedThe Evil Of Imperialism In George Orwells Shooting An Elephant1023 Words   |  5 PagesShooting An Elephant In George Orwell’s narrative, â€Å"Shooting An Elephant,† Orwell recreates his experience as a soldier trying to end imperialism in the country of Burma by shooting an elephant. George Orwell recreates this experience of imperialism being evil through the use of literary devices. Orwell opens his essay by reflecting upon the evil of British imperialism before shooting the elephant. 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