Peer Pressure (An analysis of “Shooting an Elephant” and “No Witchcraft for Sale”)

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A high school student can be asked the question on when peer pressure has been an influence in their lives, to the point where they have done something stupid because of it. If any high school student were asked this question, the majority of the answers would be “yes”, myself being on that would answer yes. Peer pressure is not just a high school situation. It has always had its effect on people throughout the history of mankind. Such as in Orwell’s story, “Shooting an Elephant” where peer pressure takes a man to shoot a harmless creature; or in Lessing’s story, “No Witchcraft for Sale” when the black cook Gideon has to make a choice whether to give up an ancient cure to his white counterparts. Peer pressure in both texts of “Shooting and Elephant” and “No Witchcraft for Sale” play pivotal roles in the stories while simpler solutions could have been taken.
The first text by George Orwell entitled, “Shooting an Elephant” shows how peer pressure greatly influenced him in making his final decision. While George made his way to where the elephant was spotted he stated, “I glanced round at the crowd that had followed me. I was an immense crowd, two thousand at the least and growing every minute.” (Orwell, Shooting an Elephant, page 1322) With two thousand people around wanting him to shoot and kill an “innocent looking” would be peer pressure to say the least. Orwell then states, “I did not want to shoot the elephant” (Orwell, Shooting an Elephant, page 1323) However, in the end, with the large crowd drooling over the excitement of seeing an elephant being shot, Orwell shot the elephant. Technically the elephant did go on a rampage, killing a man in the process, but now the elephant had calmed down. The reason the elephant was in suc...

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... two thousand person crowd of peer pressure lurking over him. Many other solutions could have been taken by Orwell, however due to the peer pressure around him to take the life of the elephant; Orwell gave in and took the elephants life. While in the case of “No Witchcraft for Sale” Gideon was justified in the choices he made not to reveal the root to the British scientist. However, in revealing the root, Gideon could have saved the eye sight of many people who would have lost it to the poisonous snake. However, in Gideon’s defense he most likely didn’t want the fame or money that would come from revealing the secret herbal medicine. In these two texts of “Shooting and Elephant” and “No Witchcraft for Sale” peer pressure played a great role in the outcome of the stories. It begs the question on how peer pressure has played a great role in the outcome of our lives.

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