Critical Analysis Of Shooting An Elephant By George Orwell

In order to be a great writer, one must excel in reading. Stephen King’s “Reading to Write” explains, “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: Read a lot and write a lot” (221). King alludes to the fact that reading improves a persons’ writing skills, such as selecting their tone, word choice, sentence structure, and figurative language. Each essay is a vital learning experience, and in order to be a proficient reader, one must read early and often (222). While reading, one must understand how to read critically, which extends beyond reading for pure pleasure. In the case of George Orwell’s “Shooting an Elephant,” the reader must understand the use of metaphors and symbolism to truly grasp the context of the essay.

Orwell’s use of symbolism is perhaps his greatest stylistic technique, as it weaves together the theme of Imperialism. The elephant represents British Imperialism, which Orwell must kill. Meanwhile, the cheering of the natives signifies his conscience throughout the novel. Before shooting the elephant, Orwell describes the crowd using a metaphor, a stylistic element by narrating, “And suddenly I realized I would have to shoot the elephant after all. The people expected it of me and I had got to do it; I could feel their two thousand wills pressing me forward, irresistibly” (299). Orwell uses a metaphor to describe the natives as a physical force, implying his want to earn the respect of the Burmese and go against his duties as an Imperial police officer. Orwell’s need to please the Burmese is seen when he shoots the elephant, freeing himself from representing British Rule. By using the natives as a form of conscience, the narrator is able to come to terms with his inner conflict and earn the respect of the