SOAPSTone "Killing an Elephant"

Subject:

 The subject of Orwell’s “Shooting an Elephant” is British imperialism. British imperialism is illustrated through the narrator’s action of killing an elephant that had damaged property and killed a man. This demonstrates the subject of British imperialism because the narrator clearly states that his immoral action of killing an elephant was because of the pressures caused by his position as a Western power figure in response to the wishes of the Eastern masses.

Occasion:

 “Shooting an Elephant” was written during the early 1900s. The essay’s time of creation is conveyed by British control of the modern day nation of Myanmar, as well as the fact that Myanmar is referred to in the story as Burma. This shows that “Shooting an Elephant” was written in the early 1900s because that is the time period during which the British ruled Myanmar. The probable place of the essay’s creation is Moulmein, Southern Myanmar. The author states this in the first sentence of the story.

The time and place of the essay’s creation influence the essay by giving an example of one of the nations in which Britain acted imperialistic. Orwell illustrates this when he writes, “I was all for the Burmese and all against their oppressors, the British,” showing the author was aware of the British repression of Myanmar. Audience: 

Orwell’s specific audience for “Shooting an Elephant” is the more politically educated. The author’s target audience is exhibited by Orwell’s political message as directed to a specific group, “when the white man turns tyrant it is his own freedom that he destroys.” This demonstrates that Orwell is denouncing white imperialism as worthless. The author’s general audience for the essay is Westerners. The author’s general audience is expressed by his message that imperialism in general is harmful to both the criminal and victim, proven by Orwell’s statement that, “…my whole life, every white man's life in the East, was one long struggle not to be laughed at.” Seeing as Westerners have been viewed as the criminals who started and carry on the imperialistic practices for the past several centuries, it is to them that his message is directed.

Purpose:

 Orwell’s purpose in “Shooting an Elephant” is to inform his audience of his opinion that imperialism is harmful to all groups involved. The harms of imperialism are illustrated with Orwell’s words, “I perceived in this moment that when the white man turns tyrant it is his own freedom that he destroys.” This proves the harms of imperialism by showing that the actor nation or individuals become harmed in turn; specifically, through the near loss of their freedom. The purpose is further articulated by the narrator’s sentiment regarding his decision to shoot the elephant: “And suddenly I realized that I should have to shoot the elephant after all.” This quote proves the harms of imperialism by showing that it removes choice or freedom for even the imperialists and their agents.

Speaker:

 Orwell, the writer of the anti-totalitarian book 1984, believes in personal liberty over government control. This value is illustrated by the statement, “Theoretically – and secretly, of course – I was all for the Burmese and all against their oppressors, the British.” This illustrates his belief in the supremacy of personal liberty by revealing his personal siding with the oppressed, not the oppressors. This value contributed to the essay because it allows Orwell to provide a moral consideration of how imperialism infringes upon the individual.

Orwell, also author of Animal Farm, believes in the value of the individual. This value is illustrated by Orwell’s portrayal of the converse:  “The crowd would laugh at me.” Mobs, he believes, cause people to do that which they would not otherwise and ignore their individual thoughts. This influences the purpose of the essay in that it provides another ethical harm of imperialism; it encourages groups to think as a whole, instead of each individual thinking for themselves, which is counter to the essence of individualism.

Orwell’s use of casual diction is evident in his style of recounting the story, where he makes such statements as, “That would never do.” This serves to make him more relatable and instead of coming across as better than you, Orwell is able to further his purpose by proving relatable and open to reason. This betters his effectiveness by providing an appeal to ethos.

Orwell’s use of imagery is evident in his description of the elephant as having a “preoccupied grandmotherly air.” This influences the purpose by leading the reader to a stronger emotional reaction and thus a more powerful portrayal of the message. This emotional appeal enhanced effectiveness by appealing to the audience’s pathos.

Tone: 

Orwell shows a frustrated attitude about British imperialism in “Shooting an Elephant.” These attitudes are expressed by repeated use of phrases such as “There was only one alternative.” This shows the frustration because Orwell is unable to view options other than those officially sanctioned or supported by group-think. This serves to further the essay’s purpose by providing evidence of greater deprivation of personal freedom as it applies to the speaker himself, due to the forces of British imperialism. By disallowing the speaker to act as he pleases, the crown’s vast imperialism has, again, removed personal liberty from its own population.