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Post by Ms. English on May 30, 2023 8:27:17 GMT -5
Post your answers to the discussion question here. Make sure to read the responses of those posted before you and respond directly to them when appropriate before posting your own.
Orwell uses the anecdote of his shooting an elephant to illustrate his feelings about imperialism. What are those feelings, and how does the anecdote illustrate them?
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Post by Hannah Boothby on Jun 5, 2023 9:46:47 GMT -5
Orwell feels that Imperialism was cruel and unnecessary, just like shooting the elephant was cruel and unnecessary as it was calm and wasn’t hurting anyone by the time he reached it. One justification many used for Imperialism was that it was good for the people in those countries, that they needed Britain to guide and protect them. In reality, the countries Britain is colonizing are fine on their own and aren’t hurting anybody, which is why Orwell compares British Imperialism to the shooting of a tame elephant. The reason he shot the elephant was because of the crowd behind him, encouraging him to do it. If it had been him alone, he wouldn’t have chosen to do it. Orwell thinks most British people in Burma don’t support Imperialism, but they do it because they’re told to by the government and what seems to be the majority of British opinion. Most people who don’t support it aren’t willing to speak out against it, so it continues.
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Post by jordanpritchett on Jul 24, 2023 14:31:10 GMT -5
Orwell feels that Imperialism was cruel and unnecessary, just like shooting the elephant was cruel and unnecessary as it was calm and wasn’t hurting anyone by the time he reached it. One justification many used for Imperialism was that it was good for the people in those countries, that they needed Britain to guide and protect them. In reality, the countries Britain is colonizing are fine on their own and aren’t hurting anybody, which is why Orwell compares British Imperialism to the shooting of a tame elephant. The reason he shot the elephant was because of the crowd behind him, encouraging him to do it. If it had been him alone, he wouldn’t have chosen to do it. Orwell thinks most British people in Burma don’t support Imperialism, but they do it because they’re told to by the government and what seems to be the majority of British opinion. Most people who don’t support it aren’t willing to speak out against it, so it continues. I agree with the initial statement of Orwell thinking that imperialism is cruel and unnecessary. I also think that Orwell knew that one man could not end imperialism, as there would be many who would be disappointed if Britain did withdraw from the country. The imperialists at that time were typically only worried about doing what would please the people, and with the amount of money and jobs that were being created many would not want for the country to exit of its own will. I think he also felt as though people were not realizing that regardless of the action taken, there will be consequences as a result. When a country invades another for resources, it is similar to the elephant being in its ‘must’ since it affects the people who were already there severely. The imperialists had left villages in ruin, killed other people (who actually belong there), and stolen various resources that the people would now have to use in smaller amounts than they were accustomed to. This is shown when Blair points out how the elephant “had already destroyed somebody’s bamboo hut, killed a cow and raided some fruit-stalls and devoured the stock” (par. 3)
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Post by Eloise on Jul 26, 2023 18:27:14 GMT -5
Early on in his essay, Orwell portrays his very strong opinion on imperialism as evil and futile. He illustrates this by stating that he, although young and ill-educated, was stuck between his hatred of the empire he served (imperialists) and the people who made his job impossible (Burmans). His anecdote illustrates these feelings as he shows his understanding that killing the elephant was evil, as the creature was only acting upon impulse, but still going through with the action of shooting it. The large crowd of people behind Orwell all encouraged him to do it, and therefore he did, to avoid looking a fool. Imperialism is similar in that most of the people on the side of the imperialists, along with the government of the imperialist country, will support any actions taken to uplift it. As they are often the majority, those who are against it and are of lesser power often follow along and do nothing to suppress it although they may contain opposing opinions, such as Orwell.
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sofia
New Member
Posts: 10
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Post by sofia on Aug 8, 2023 13:33:59 GMT -5
Orwell’s beliefs on imperialism are that it unfairly targets the people of a country and always leads to violence and destruction. A more powerful country doesn’t automatically get the right to conquer a new land that is already inhabited just because they want to and have the ability to do so. He also viewed imperialism as foolish for the county that is wanting to take over. Even though they have control over a country, they will never truly be able to break the spirit of the people and confine them to their rule. Orwell recounts the shooting of an elephant to illustrate his beliefs by using its death to show how imperialism is unnecessary and harmful. The elephant was peacefully eating in a field when Orwell came upon it, and he decided at first to let him live. The villagers, however, pressured him to kill it and tried to justify its death because it had caused destruction earlier. These ideas are similar to the imperialistic ideas of other countries, as they believe that it is their duty to take control of another country even when it’s not necessary and can sometimes cause more harm. The lack of Orwell fighting against the mentality of the crowd also shows how even though someone may be against imperialism they usually go along with it, adding to the problem instead.
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Post by georgia on Aug 14, 2023 13:14:16 GMT -5
Throughout the essay “Shooting an Elephant”, Orwell writes about his feelings toward imperialism as “an evil thing” and how he believes it is unnecessary and ineffective. He further illustrates his feelings by using the anecdote of him shooting the elephant. Despite the fact that the elephant was only a threat when it was agitated by the crowd of people and just acting on instinct, Orwell ignores his moral compass and succumbs to the pressure of the Burmese encouraging him to shoot the elephant. After killing the elephant, Orwell reflects on his actions saying he only did it to “avoid looking a fool.” This story demonstrates his feelings toward imperialism as it shows how he followed through on an evil action purely to demonstrate his power. The imperialism Orwell experienced during this time was very similar to this as the British Empire extended its power and influence by oppressing the Burmese. Orwell writes about his experience shooting the elephant as an anecdote to convey his anti-imperialist feelings.
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Post by izzymorris0715 on Aug 19, 2023 9:49:41 GMT -5
Orwell expresses how he feels about imperialism through an anecdote involving natives and an elephant. Throughout this anecdote the natives push Orwell to shoot the elephant so that they can rid the town of the elephants troublesome presence and then use the remains for their own benefit. This truly represents how other countries will work together in order to trigger the withdrawal of a superpower from an imperialised country. This is done so that when a country is in a period of residual colonialism, the other countries (that didn’t withdraw) can recolonize it. It feels as if Orwell thinks imperialism is a double edged sword. He feels that imperialism is bad, but once a country retreats another will take its place. Which, causes another reign of tyranny. I feel as if he is saying that imperialism is a cycle that will not end until the colonized country is granted independence.
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Post by edmundocg on Aug 24, 2023 9:53:07 GMT -5
In George Orwell's essay "Shooting an Elephant," he utilizes the anecdote of shooting an elephant to convey his complex sentiments towards imperialism. Orwell's feelings revolve around the internal conflict he experiences as a colonial police officer in Burma. He grapples with the weight of imperial oppression and the expectations imposed on him by the colonizers. The anecdote showcases Orwell's discomfort and reluctance to conform to the role of the oppressor. He is torn between his personal values and the social pressures inherent in his position. Orwell's internal struggle represents his recognition of the dehumanizing impact of imperialism on both the colonized and the colonizer. The act of shooting the elephant becomes a metaphor for the destructive nature of imperialism, wherein he becomes the instrument of dominance against his better judgment. The vivid description of the elephant's agony parallels the larger suffering inflicted by colonial rule. Through this poignant narrative, Orwell underscores the degrading influence of imperialism on morality and individual autonomy, effectively revealing his feelings of moral conflict, powerlessness, and the destructive consequences of oppressive systems.
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Post by khanielsmith on Sept 5, 2023 18:52:32 GMT -5
Orwell's anecdote of "Shooting an elephant" vividly shows his strong anti-imperialism beliefs. The entirety of the essay shows as a potent symbol of the oppressive nature of imperialism and the moral dilemmas it presents. It shows how imperialism dehumanizes both the oppersors and the oppressed, highlighting the destructive impact on the colonizers and the colonized. Through Orwell's powerful writing he expresses his deep opposition to imperialism, revealing its injustices and ethical diffculties.
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Post by berenice on Sept 12, 2023 15:44:21 GMT -5
Orwell has anti imperialism beliefs, believe it evil. " i had already made my mind up that imperialism was an evil thing." Page 279 and 280 talk about his hatred for the Empire. the last paragraph of page 280, He saw a the real nature of imperialism. The anecdote him being the person above the oppressor and the elephant is the oppressed. It was a nuisance but once it was dead it was beneficial.
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