Imperialism In George Orwell's Shooting An Elephant
"Shooting An Elephant," George Orwell's famously anti-imperialist essay, brings to light the complicated idea regarding the malleability of one's conscience and questions the stability of a moral code. He begins the essay by recounting his time in Burma as a British officer, and how his hatred of imperialism was becoming overshadowed by the Burmese peoples' distaste for his fellow colonizers and him. He wished to gain the trust and respect of these people in order to put this cognitive dissonance at rest, so that he no longer has to be a part of a system he dislikes. Orwell's feelings towards the Burmese quickly become a microcosm for an even broader idea and problem: that an imperialist nation, such as Great Britain, would demand respect from a people that have both no interest in, as well as an intense hatred towards a group that is unwanted …show more content…
Roland Barthes within his essay "The World Of Wrestling" does not discuss the idea of renouncing morals, but instead provides a lens in which one can see another perspective on how important Orwell's actions for and against imperialism were. "The World of Wrestling" focuses on Barthes' idea that, "…the function of the wrestler is not to win; it is to go exactly through the motions which are expected of him," (Barthes 171). Thus, Orwell quickly becomes a Barthesian wrestler, whose job is not to win the respect of the Burmese but instead follow the orders of imperialism. He stands in the center of the ring, surrounded by people demanding a "spectacle of excess" (Barthes 170), and is placed into a paradoxical problem that has no solution; he either stands for a his morals and faces isolation or does what Barthes believes makes for good entertainment: exactly what is expected of him. And, eventually, Orwell gives in, for wrestlers fight and Orwell shoots for the same reason: they know of nothing
Rhetorical Analysis Of Shooting An Elephant By George Orwell
In his essay, "Shooting an Elephant", well known writer, George Orwell, recounts his experience where his morals and ego were challenged by the Burmese natives. He finds himself struggling with an internal conflict over his attitude toward the empire he serves and the natives he oversees. Orwell uses diction to reveal an attitude of bitterness and resentment towards the Burmese natives, despite having to prove his strength and dominance as a British soldier. Orwell opens his piece by revealing his antipathy toward imperialism and the British regime. This is evident when he claims that he "was all for the Burmese and all against their oppressors, the British" (285).…
British Imperialism In Shooting An Elephant By George Orwell
Their difference of opinion shown through their tone, setting, and conflicts. Orwell and Kipling both spoke in unique tones throughout their short stories which portrayed the effects of British colonization from their standpoint. In "Shooting an Elephant" Orwell speaks negatively throughout the entire story. He dislikes the Indians but dislikes his position as an English police officer as well. In the story, Orwell stated that "All I knew was that I was stuck between my hatred for the empire I served and my rage against the evil-spirited little beasts who tried to make my job impossible" (PAGE NUMBER).…
Shooting An Elephant Conflict Analysis
George Orwell faces multiple conflicts in Shooting an Elephant. The first is British imperialism. The British took over Burma and they are treating the natives terribly. Second, the natives aren't taking this imperial government kindly either as they continuously mock Orwell because he's a symbol of the government and a vulnerable "obvious target" (Orwell). Orwell hates the way the British impose their power on the Burmese.…
Analysis Of Chief Seattle's Letter To President Pierce
It allows for the reader to understand that the Indians are forlorn because the Americans are being contempt towards the Indians beliefs and morals. This quote also creates an effect of imagery because it allows for the audience to picture the Indian lands being destroyed and replaced with modern American architecture, evoking a sentiment of empathy from the audience. The authors purpose was to gain authority in his proposition without disrespecting the American government. Seattle wants the Americans to see the injustice that the Natives have encountered continuously. In addition, Chief Seattle stated, "We understand that the white man does not understand our ways" (L. 1).…
Masculinity In If Rudyard Kipling
They have opted to choose a President who attempts to portray masculinity by fetishizing the military, by forgoing what he calls political correctness, and by deriding all who criticize him under the false pretense of strength in the face of adversity. Yet, just as Barker demonstrates in Regeneration, this approach, causing divisiveness and tension through the nation, only hurts society. Perhaps this President will realize the error of his ways. Perhaps, like Rivers, he will try and connect with those who disagree with him and work with them to find a greater solution for all of us, instead of his manly approach name-calling and twitter-deriding. Perhaps he will opt for a greater maternal approach filled with compassion and unity to ease the hyper-partisanship and…
Machiavelli And Hobbes Political Analysis
Because he believes man becomes disloyal to the state when times are tough, and the ultimate purpose of the Prince is to maintain order within the state, Machiavelli argues a ruler should be feared. If the prince is loved and circumstances warrant, people are more prone to take advantage of the benevolence of their ruler. Ruling with an iron fist, Machiavelli believes, would ensure obedience from the ruled. Moreover, he does also warn of the dangers of using fear in a negative manner. Never in The Prince does Machiavelli advocate using cruelty for no explicit reason, but instead urges rulers to use it in the interests of the state.…
John Stuart Mill Idi Amin Moral
Since Idi Amin is being evaluated by how he used his political and military power, a quote by Mill about the use of power was chosen to evaluate Amin. The quote by John Stuart Mills as a basis for the evaluation of Amin is as follows, "The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant." It can be seen based on this quote that Idi Amin stands on the wrong side of morality that John Stuart Mill developed based on his abuse of power in his seizure power and persecution of ethnic and political groups against their will, done not in an effort to prevent harm to others, but for the physical good of Idi Amin…
Is The British Rule In Burmese Days By George Orwell
George Orwell critiques British rule in Burma through John Flory by having Flory detest the imperial rule, yet have him also feel caught up in the riptides of the imperial movement as though he must go on with it or face being isolated from everyone else around him. In Burmese Days, when thinking about his fellow Englishmen's culture during a conversation with Dr. Veraswami, John Flory thinks to himself, "Dull boozing witless porkers! Was it possible that they could go on week after week, year after year, repeating word for word the same evil-minded drivel, like a parody of a fifth-rate story in Blackwood's? Would none of them ever think of anything new to say?" (33). This shows that he is disgusted with, and tired of hearing about, the British…
Pathos In George Orwell's Shooting An Elephant
"Pathos is the motivation factor"(Demırdöğen). In the story, Orwell focuses on using pathos to motivate the readers to recognize the evil nature of colonialism, and accept his anti-imperialist ideology. This paper attempts to analysis the use of pathos in "Shooting an Elephant" from the perspective of rhetoric devices, the inner contraction of "I", and the description of Burmese people. Thus explaining to the relationship between the use of rhetoric and emotional interpretation. Pathos and its rhetorical function In Classical rhetorical theory, Rhetoric is the study of speech skills, and the purpose of speech is to persuade.…
The Ideas Of Leadership In George Orwell's Shooting An Elephant
Contributors Stade. et al. state in the Encyclopedia of British Writers that "[h]is Burmese experience taught him the evils of institutionalized force, and his writing reflects his mission to oppose all forms of oppression." Orwell found the actions of his fellow Englishmen grotesque in the way they treated the natives and how the power perverted the actions of those in higher positions. On a secret level he supported the people of Burma and understood their hatred for the British. Orwell died in 1950 sharing his distaste for despotic governments through his works of writing.…