Shooting an Elephant Imperialism. Symbolism in George Orwells Story Essay

Introduction â€Å"Shooting the elephant† is a story that explores the description of an imaginary encounter of an Englishman working in the Colonial police force in Burma. The story describes an experience with an uncontrollable and deterministic elephant. The narrator shows that he did not want to shoot the elephant but he had to do it by the will of the submissive Burmese people to bring about redemption of the people.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Shooting an Elephant Imperialism. Symbolism in George Orwell’s Story Essay specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The study gives the breakdown of colonial nations as applied by the actors in the colonised regions. The officer describes his breakdown by expressing the mockery received for the authority. The story captures the violent reality of colonialism as the narrator unfolds the events of the actual shooting and the description of the slow an d painful death of the elephant that seemed peaceful in hands of a colonial officer. The above study argues that George Orwell’s â€Å"Shooting an elephant† story represents a symbol of imperialism. Discussion The story of shooting the elephant begins with a thoughtful introduction of the actions where the narrator, Orwell, describes the difficulty of being a colonial police officer, especially, in the middle of the twentieth century in British Burma; where many people hated him. Orwell shows how the anti-Europeans were bitter to an extent of spitting on the European women as they crossed over to the market. The sub divisional police officers would now raise more alarm as the Burmese could yell with revolting laughter. Orwell therefore understood the hatred and thought was justified, though he admits that he would be happy if he could run through his oppressors. Johnston (375) puts that the event of shooting the elephant begins with a phone call that Orwell received ab out an elephant ravaging the bazaar. As a police officer and his hunting rifle, he followed the elephant to the village where the Buddhist priests had much hatred and were so many in the streets idle and jeering Europeans. Runciman (182-183) shows that George Orwell’s book â€Å"Shooting an elephant† reflects the author as a socially conscious individual. He also says that the book served as a supplement in the days of the Burmese. Orwell shows his experience as a colonial official to both India and Burma, which were regions in the British Empire (Runciman 82-183). This study involves a colonial officer obligated to shoot a rogue elephant by the crowd from the indigenous residents for not wanting to seem a coward in the eyes of the huge crowd. Orwell describes the event of shooting the elephant and compares it to the hostility reigning between the British Empire and the administrators, as well as the natives. In this situation, both parties have much hatred, mistrust, resentment and degrade one another and therefore the shooting represents a huge suffering expressed economically (Runciman 82-183). â€Å"Shooting an Elephant† has created much criticism in the British literature, and especially in the political environment of modern criticism. This is because it has generated a debate on whether Orwell was legally right to condemn imperialism. Critics show insufficient condemnation and that the narrator is an agent of the British Empire who denounces the presence of the British who were corrupting their regions.Advertising Looking for research paper on british literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More To begin with, it is important to analyse the historical background of the colonisation of Burma and describe the people of Burma. It is also necessary to provide the biography and bibliographical experience of George Orwell. This is because the author focuses on the relationship betwee n the natives and the government. The breakdown of colonial rhetoric linking theory and practice shapes some of the phrases used by Orwell, for example, Orwell used the sea of yellow faces to display the idea of racism from the colonising people. The author also looks at the Burmese villagers as the same people with no distinct characteristics. He describes the unplanned scattering of their houses and the palm-leaf thatched huts, marking them with yellow color create the difference between the white man’s power and the Burmese. This also describes poverty and foulness within the neighborhood. On the other hand, the narrator is afraid of the Burmese and their forces and he describes them as a sea of people. The officer also offers the people presence and much more force than his. He also realises that he is one person among a â€Å"sea† of many others. The colonial officer notices that though he is legally powerful and has a rifle, the events of the day remain dictated by the people behind him who would see him as a fool if he did not shoot the elephant in spite of having the weapon amidst many helpless Burmese. The author also uses words such as magical, conjurer and absurd puppet to show he is against the British colonial powers. The words take the fear of the colonised people that the British people criticise. Orwell uses un-scientific words when describing the event. The use of diction displays a corrupt British influence to the colonized people and reflects the degradation of the style of the colonising powers. This study therefore shows the moving symbol of the colonial experience. The view of British imperialism is more reflected where the colonial officer shows that he is against the oppressors and their evil deeds. Though he is a British officer and has much authority among the Burmese people, he has some build up hatred and remorse towards himself and his empire, as well as to the Burma people whom he refers to as evil spirited little be asts. The essay therefore does not only show the personal experience with the elephant, but also uses metaphors to show the experience with the imperialism and his views towards the colonial rule.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Shooting an Elephant Imperialism. Symbolism in George Orwell’s Story Essay specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Orwell expresses hostile feelings towards the imperialism, British justification for taking over the powers of the Burma people and the entire British Empire. Orwell has set the mood of the essay by illustrating the climate to be cloudy and stuffy morning at the beginning of the rain. This shows that Orwell has established that his character is weak and discomforting especially by describing how the Burma people laughed and mocked him. According to Adas Peter (54-58) imperialism has been a cause for the poor relationship between the Burma people and police officers . The breakdown brings the beliefs of imperialism in practical application. This is shown by how the British came to power and the history of the Burma and how the society had been exploited. Orwell gives his experience in Burma and the story shows the mood and feeling of a person experiencing British imperial break down. Orwell realised that though he is the authority in the region, the Burmese people had control over his actions. This shows that there was a poor relationship between the coloniser and the colonised. The officer describes his nature of authority as derived from the people as opposed to self-designed force. He states that he stood with a rifle in his hands and thought of the hollowness and ineffectiveness of the power of the white man in the East. With much power between citizens and political leaders in England over the Burmese people, the people using the authority had also recognised the poor relationship between the colonised and the colonisers. It is therefore c lear that the buildup of the story of finding the elephant serves a metaphoric force to illuminate on the imperialist powers that usurps the rights of the people. The narrator shows that the elephant’s rampaging destroyed homes, food shelves and worse of all, it killed a man described as having an unbearable agony on his face. Upon finding the elephant, the narrator also describes that he knew for sure that he had no right to shoot him. This shows that as a colonial officer, he ought not to kill his ruling government but support it (Barbara 46). The narrator also says that when he laid his eyes on the huge mass of Burmese behind him, he changed his attitude towards shooting the elephant. He continually says that he did not want to shoot the elephant and this explains that the narrator understands the guilt of shooting an elephant that seemed so peaceful from a distance. The narrator also gives various reasons why he did not want to shoot the elephant, for example, he states t hat an elephant was worth more alive than it dead. He also states that he is bad at shooting, and he would not want to miss the target, as he never wanted the crowd to laugh at him and make him seem defeated. This shows that the colonial police officer fell to the expectations of the Burmese. He went against his will and moral belief and decided to shoot (Barbara 46). This describes how the British people would never want to seem less powerful than the natives as the colonisers in the story did. The death of the elephant metaphorically represents the British Imperialism in Burma. This is because before the British expansion came to Burma, it was a free kingdom and the Burmese and the British oppressors fought three wars. Barbara (2006) describes that the first was the Anglo-Burmese War fought in 1824 and the other was in 1852. The third war was in 1855 where the British took over Burma.Advertising Looking for research paper on british literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Orwell states that he did not hear the bang or kick of the first trigger, and he had to fire again at the same spot between the ears where it was easier to kill the elephant. The third firing illustrates the final shot to the elephant, as it showed the agony that jolted its whole body. The elephant knocked its last strength from his legs. The three wars therefore represented the three shots. Hobson (2005) puts it that the elephant represented Burma and its unyielding struggle to remain powerful over the colonisers (5-7). This can be compared to how the elephant had tried to remain alive after the third shot. By staying down after the third shot, the elephant is still alive, just like the Burmese people who were still there, powerless and helpless once the three wars. Orwell (1936) explains that the Burmese are now under the control of the British, and the death of the elephant is a metaphor showing the British rule and how it has declined against Burmese as some went away and others died (67). Orwell reflects guilt by stating that seeing the elephant lying so powerless on the ground unable to move and yet powerless to die. The narrator shows that he is guilty being a colonial police officer who fought in the war against Burma. Beissinger (294-303) shows that Britons were also doubtful of their right to rule others in their territory. This mounted much hatred and resentment from the Burmese. By killing the elephant, Orwell justifies himself for having the right to shoot and that it was legal. He justifies this using the fact that a mad elephant deserves being killed just as a mad dog is once the owner does not control it (Beissinger 299). He also admits being glad for the elephant had killed a villager and legally that justifies a legal act. However, Orwell realises the truth to be false in the wake of the efforts to save the elephant. Orwell uses the metaphors; for example, by comparing himself to a magician and the huge masses of villagers was his audience. H e also compares himself to a lead actor and as an absurd puppet. Orwell states that he represents a posing dummy and that he looked like a person wearing a mask. This is because by holding the rifle, the Burma people expected to see the elephant down. John (2008) describes that though he was a white man and more so, in the authority, it was more expected that he had to kill the elephant. This describes George Orwell’s realisation of the position of the whites in the East and the negative contribution of imperialism. Orwell also realised that once a white man became a tormenter, he destroyed his own freedom. He says that white men should constantly do what the natives expect from them and impress them as they have control over the white man. Orwell completes his role and realises that throughout his rule in Burma, he is the Burmese victim. Conclusion Shooting the elephant is a clear depiction of the imperialist powers that wok to the detriment of the subjects. In his metaphori c epresentations, Orwell manages to demonstrate in clear terms the immense negative images portrayed by the inhibiting powers of the colonial masters. By mentioning himself as an actor in the play, the narrator realised that he had to impress his audience who were people from Burma, and says that by aiming at the elephant’s head, the people behind him felt as if the curtains from the theatre were finally opened for the audience to view the play. These descriptions show his weaker character of submission to the crowd, which defines the order of the day through control of his actions. However, he had to wear a mask and act like a powerful white man. The examples show the double-edged sword of imperialism and its misrepresentation of the people. The personal experience shows a moral dilemma reflecting the evils influenced by the colonial politics and imperialism. Orwell represents an anti-imperialist writer that promotes this through the story of shooting the elephant. This is b ecause, in this case, both the colonisers and the colonised are destroyed at the end. He detests the tethering effects of the colonial Britain and the story shows that the conqueror does not control the situation, but the expectations of the people guide him. Works Cited Adas, Michael. Peter, N. Turbulent passage a global history of the Twentieth Century. New York: Pearson Education, Inc. 2008. Print. Barbara, Bush. Imperialism and Post colonialism, History: Concepts, Theories and Practice, Longmans, 2006. Print. Beissinger, Mark. â€Å"Soviet Empire as Family Resemblance,† Slavic Review 65 (2006): 294-303. Hobson, Atkinson. Imperialism: a study. Cosimo, Inc. New York: 2005. Print. John, Darwin. After Tamerlane: The Rise and Fall of Global Empires, 1400–2000. New York: Penguin Books, 2008. Print. Johnston, Ronald. The Dictionary of Human Geography. eds. New York: Wiley-Blackwell, 2000, Print. Orwell, George. â€Å"Shooting an Elephant,†The Literature Network, 1936. Web. http://www.online-literature.com/orwell/887/ Runciman, David. Political Hypocrisy: The Mask of Power, from Hobbes to Orwell and Beyond. New York: Princeton University Press, 2010. Print. This research paper on Shooting an Elephant Imperialism. Symbolism in George Orwell’s Story Essay was written and submitted by user Ryder Mckenzie to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Buffalo soldier in the heart of america

Buffalo soldier in the heart of america Free Online Research Papers Dear Mr. Marcus: Over the past couple of months my English class has been using your book, Mystery Train, to assist us in the understanding of how music can be used in different ways as a metaphor. The title of our course is â€Å"Music as Metaphor† and the main focus of our studies is America and the music that has come from within it, as well as the outside influences that have impacted American music. For my final project I have chosen to prove to you why Bob Marley should be placed in your book, or in a future sequel. When I first chose this topic my main concern was that Marley is not an American musician therefore he wouldn’t fit into the â€Å"Images of America in Rock ’n’ Roll† in which your book is based upon. While researching this topic I came across a website that talked about Marley in the following manner; â€Å"You dont see thousands of Maori and Tongans and Fijians gathering annually to pay honor to Louis Armstrong; you dont witness phalanxes of youth wandering America sporting Louis Armstrong t-shirts. In fact, big as the Beatles were, you hardly see any Beatle shirts around anymore, except for those few featuring John Lennons sorrow-inducing visage. When was the last time you saw a Michael Jackson flag or a Bob Dylan sarong or Madonna rolling papers? All of these exist in Marleyite forms, his iconography well nigh a new universal language, the symbol, as Jack Healey of Amnesty International continues to tell people, of freedom throughout the world† (PBS.org). I found this information in a PBS article that truly convinced me as to why Bob Marley should be included into your book. Along with this, I did a lot of thinking and I came across many reasons in my research that prove why Bob Marley is a big enough part of American music history; starting with the fact that he was from Jamaica but also an American in more ways then just his musical popularity. Robert Nesta Marley, born in a small town outside of Kingston, Jamaica, was brought up in a very poor family with no father to support him during his years of childhood. While growing up he was faced with the first of many instances of racial prejudice due to his mixed racial background. This was just the beginning of many life long racial struggles that Marley endured. He once reflected, â€Å"I dont have prejudice against meself. My father was a white and my mother was black. Them call me half-caste or whatever. Me dont dip on nobodys side. Me dont dip on the black mans side nor the white mans side. Me dip on Gods side, the one who create me and cause me to come from black and white† (Wikipedia.org). This shows how he stood up for himself and let his music and way of life do the talking. His musical career started at the age of fourteen when he was introduced to Rastafari by a close friend and reggae singer Joe Higgs. He played with the â€Å"Wailers† in his ear ly years and throughout his career performed to audiences worldwide. His first appearance in the United States was at the Amandla Festival in Boston in July, 1979. Before his debut in America there his music had already reached the top 40 charts (BobMarley.com). To Bob Marley, music was more than just a cool sound or some clever lyrics, it was a way of spreading his religion and the knowledge of peace and unity to each and every nation, one at a time. In your book there are contradictions found within each of the artists and groups you write about. In Bob Marley’s case there was a constant struggle between his music and fellow African Americans that listened to him. The fact that he was born to a black mother and white father stirred up mixed emotions from his listeners and peers. In one of Marley’s most popular songs, â€Å"Buffalo Soldier† he discusses the buffalo soldiers stolen from their homeland and brought to America to serve in the army. To me it makes a lot of sense: How the dreadlock Rasta was the buffalo soldier, And he was taken from Africa, brought to America, Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival (lyrics.com) This African American struggle in which he sings about contradicts the fact that he is only half black or as some critics say, â€Å"Dipping on both sides.† Marley took this criticism lightly without letting it affect his obvious success. It is written in your book that â€Å"Only the man who says No is free,† (Marcus, 123) this quote depicts the lifestyle and musical ambitions in which Bob Marley was going through his life. He took chances with his music and was satisfied with the things he was doing while not caring what others thought about him and his lyrical teachings. He was speaking his mind to the nation. Marley took this criticism and turned it into encouragement, which is very hard to do. He overcame what he had been told all his life and he pursued what his heart was telling him to do. This mentality of taking risks and defying the odds is something that has been with Americans from our immigrant forefathers and mothers who followed their instincts an d came to this country to start a new life. Jacob Needleman explains in his book the vision of our immigrant ancestors when he say, â€Å"the idea of America has expressed enough of that wisdom to touch the hearts of men and women throughout the world who yearned not only for wealth or for safety or comfort, but also for meaning and transcendence† (The American Soul, 13) Marley was not an American citizen yet his ways of making decisions and living his life reflect those of our ancestors who founded this country and the spirit that drives our existence. Marley’s musical talent was immediately noticed when his track â€Å"I Shot the Sheriff,† from the Burnin’ album, was covered a year later by Eric Clapton. This began the everlasting super stardom that Bob Marley reached. In an early interview of Marley that I located, the reporters kept asking how he could be such a simple and mellow man when he was one of the world’s most renowned superstars. His laid back responses to these questions reminded me of this quote from Mystery Train; â€Å"Men are not free when they are doing just what they like. The moment you can do just what you like, there is nothing you care about doing† (p.163). To me, Marley was similar in many ways to Elvis Presley and his musical lifestyle and mindset. Elvis represented both the best and worst of American culture by dancing on live television in a never before seen way and being a disgrace to millions of American adults; while on the other side of the spectrum, his musi c was from the heart and brought joy to the majority of America as a new style of rock ’n’ roll was invented. Marley was looked at by Americans as both a negative and positive influence, just as Elvis was. He brought a new style of music known as reggae to America, which was a split nation at the time, between the Vietnam War, racial segregation and the peace and love which was said to have been lost. This new wave of music and peaceful way of life that Marley brought to America inspired millions, which led to the spread of new genres to this country such as; ska, roots reggae, dub, calypso, dancehall and reggaeton. Bob Marley’s affect on American music is of unbelievable proportions and it is still going strong and steady to this day. I strongly believe it will continue for many years to come. In David Markowitz biography on Marley he discusses Bob as a worldly figure by stating, â€Å"Time magazine made Bob Marley’s impact strikingly clear when it named Exodus the most important album of the 20th century† (The Words and Music of Bob Marley, 1). America’s Time magazine, being as well known as it is, does not need much backup when they put out a statement like this about such a peaceful and loving man. Marley was very involved with his religion, Rastafari, and was at times referred to as a chosen one, â€Å"I I Robert Nesta Marley travelled the FOUR corners relentlessly to spread the Jah message to us Downpressed† (youtube.com). The study of Rastafari began at a young age for Marley and with this he was on a mission to bring peace and unity to all nations, mainly America. In the book, American Soul, Jacob Needleman writes â€Å"One of the most central of these elements is the idea of man as a being who exist between two worlds-an inner world of great spiritual vision and power, and an outer world of material realities and constraint† (8). Needleman’s idea perfectly portrays the life of Robert Marley; the religious practices, the musical spirituality, the everyday struggle written in his songs and the outer world in which he dislikes, yet influences with his peaceful ways. Rita Marley was Bob’s wife and backup singer until the time of his death. Since then she has moved to America and wrote a book, My Life With Bob Marley, in which she discusses her life with and without Marley. In the prologue of the book she writes about the time she spent with Bob while on his death bed, and how he promised her â€Å"That he’d be here forever.† To help prove how big of an influence Marley has been on American music I chose this quote from Rita Marley, â€Å"So if I hear his voice now, it’s only confirming that he’s always around, everywhere. Because you do really hear his voice wherever you go. All over the world.† Robert Nesta Marley, half man, half god, has proved to be one of the all time greatest world musical superstars. A man who can lie on his death bed and tell his wife that no matter what happens he will always be around in the musical world for her to hear. Marley did as said and is still here today in the headphones and in the hearts of Americans of every age, shape and color still to this day, which is why I feel Bob Marley would be an interesting addition to your knowledgeable book. Research Papers on Buffalo soldier in the heart of americaHip-Hop is ArtWhere Wild and West MeetEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenCapital PunishmentThe Hockey Game19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraHonest Iagos Truth through DeceptionThe Masque of the Red Death Room meaningsThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Essay