In the midst of the twentieth century, George Orwell left a mark on the literature world, writing well-known novels such as Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four. His novels brought light to the unseen, dark side communism and totalitarianism’s destructive powers. Much of his works, including essays, critique the then-modern politics. Overlooked in favor of Orwell’s novels, the essays he wrote deserve just as much attention. In his writing career, Orwell tackled numerous political hot topics despite major backlash from peers and critics. Much of Orwell’s insightfulness originates in his time overseas, part of being in the British Imperialist Police. In his day, imperialism and colonialism was a common attribute of being a British citizen. The British had invaded and took over many countries such as India and parts of China, and became known as the British Empire, coined “the empire on which the sun never sets”. Their presence in those countries did not receive a warm welcome at all as the occupancy made the smaller country dependent on the imperialists, which was exactly what the imperialists wanted. Throughout his life, Orwell encountered many instances of colonialism and imperialism, and from those encounters, Orwell developed an extreme bias against all-controlling forces as well as feeling a conscience of being the all-controlling force. Orwell suggests colonialism and imperialism simultaneously hurts the conquerors and the conquered people.
Orwell first encountered colonialism as a police officer in British-ruled Burma and recognized its effect on the imperialists, one like him. In a foreign country, Orwell already felt alienated and unsafe but truly hated his job. One of his experiences involves Orwell, a gun, an elephant, a...
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...d turned them into iconic stories and articles, detailing a world never before seen. Orwell has since then become a household name and remains one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. As a political writer, Orwell has always intended to influence the reader of the horrors hidden in a governmental, dominant power. His legacy, his life’s work, left its mark on history and the minds of many generations, just like Orwell wished.
Works Cited
Larkin, Emma. "Introduction." Burmese Days. Reprinted in Penguin classics with a new introduction. ed. London: Penguin, 2009. v. Print.
Orwell, George. "Shooting An Elephant." Orwell. Orwell.ru, 14 Mar. 1999. Web. 31 Jan. 2014. .
Slater, Ian. Orwell: The Road to Airstrip One. 1985. Reprint. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc, 2003. Print.
In Orwell’s reflective narrative, “Shooting an Elephant”, he reveals the truth on imperialism. Through the utilization of irony and the method of appeals, Orwell shows the reader that imperialism is just a definition because the people are in control, not Britain.
...ng thought really drives home Orwell’s point that if we allow totalitarianism it will overwhelm anyone and drive out any concept of free will. This world Orwell creates casts light on the psychological manipulation in totalitarian societies that leads to so many other infringements of human nature such as the ability to think for oneself and form your own opinions. This novel does not apply to today’s geopolitical state, however at the time of its original publication it was a great weapon in the fight against Communism.
Eric went to Burma in 1922 and become a probationary Assistant Superintendent of Police. His experience in Burma, his guilt of oppressing the Burmese...
In 1922, Orwell began working as the assistant superintendent of police in Myaungmya, Burma, and this is where his hatred toward imperialism and its tyrannical rule over the underdogs in society developed. He felt guilty torturing and flogging unwilling subjects. The community had taken too much power over the individual, and the imperialist society commanded Orwell to enforce this injustice: “I was stuck between my hatred of the empire I served and my rage against the evil-spirited little beasts who tried to make my job impossible. With one part of my mind I thought of the British Raj as an unbreakable tyranny…with another part I thought the greatest joy in the world would be to drive a bayonet into a Buddhist priest’s guts. Feelings like these are normal by-products of imperialism” (qtd. in Lewis 41). Obviously, imperialism had affected Orwell to the point where he developed animosity towards the Burmese. As a policeman doing “the dirty work of the Empire” (qtd. in Lewis 41), Orwell acquired a hatred for imperialism, a belief that is focused on dominion over other individuals.
Though the overall mechanics of Oceania are false, many of the inventions and beliefs put forth by the novel, have come to exist. Between computers, mind-control experiments, and the overproduction of technological propaganda, the purpose of Orwell’s novel, a forewarning of possibilities facilitating in society’s inability to control the monsters it creates, is well served. Society must continually advance, for the health and survival of civilization. But, as evidenced by a common hope that no situation similar to that of Oceania occurs, this continuous advance must be made with continuos knowledge and restraint, in order to preserve a way of life society to often takes for granted.
The state of power established through the imperialistic backdrop show that Orwell should have control over the Burmese. Orwell is a British colonial officer in Burma, which is under the control of the British, and because of this he should have authority and control over the Burmans. The presence of the empire is established when Orwell explains that, “with one part of my mind I thought of the British Raj as an unbreakable tyranny...upon the will of the prostrate people; with another part I thought that the greatest joy in the world would be to drive a bayonet into a Buddhist priest’s gut.” (144) This ideal imperialistic circumstance, where ...
A police officer in the British Raj, the supposedly 'unbreakable'; ruling force, was afraid. With his gun aimed at a elephant's head, he was faced with the decision to pull the trigger. That officer was George Orwell, and he writes about his experience in his short story, 'Shooting an Elephant';. To save face, he shrugged it off as his desire to 'avoid looking the fool'; (George Orwell, 283). In truth, the atmosphere of fear and pressure overwhelmed him. His inner struggle over the guilt of being involved in the subjugation of a people added to this strain, and he made a decision he would later regret enough to write this story.
Orwell attended a small preparatory school on the south coast of Bengal, where he felt out of place because the others in the school were much better off than he was. Because of the way he viewed the world thro...
Howe, Tom. "George Orwell." British Writers Volume VII. Ed. Ian Scott-Kilvert. New York: Scribner, 1984. 273-287.
In the essay ?Shooting an Elephant? by George Orwell, the author uses metaphors to represent his feelings on imperialism, the internal conflict between his personal morals, and his duty to his country. Orwell demonstrates his perspectives and feelings about imperialism.and its effects on his duty to the white man?s reputation. He seemingly blends his opinions and subjects into one, making the style of this essay generally very simple but also keeps it strong enough to merit numerous interpretations. Orwell expresses his conflicting views regarding imperialism throughout the essay by using three examples of oppression and by deliberatly using his introspection on imperialism.
Every day, each individual will look back on decisions he or she have made and mature from those experiences. Though it takes time to realize these choices, the morals and knowledge obtained from them are priceless. In George Orwell’s nonfictional essay, “Shooting an Elephant”, a young Orwell was stationed in Burma for the British imperial forces, tasked to deal with an elephant who destroyed various parts of the village Moulmein while its owner was away. Backed by second thoughts and a crowd of thousands, he finds himself shooting the elephant and reflecting that it was not justified; however, it was a choice pushed by his duty and the people. Written with a fusion of his young and old self’s outlook on shooting the elephant, Orwell’s essay is a sensational read that captivates his audience and leaves them questioning his decision.
In George Orwell’s Shooting an Elephant, Orwell suggests just that; one can form his own ideals, but they will either be changed by the media (symbolized in his essay by the Burmese natives) or constructed from...
George Orwell is considered to be one of the most creative and expressive political writers of the twentieth century, particularly for his views opposing communism and totalitarian regimes famously expressed in his novel, 1984. Orwell perceived communism as, “A new, dangerous form of totalitarianism, a powerful tool for controlling the masses.” Orwell’s hatred towards communism began with communist leader, Joseph Stalin whom he referred to as, “a bloody-minded master” (Rossi 1). Orwell’s views solidified during his participation in the Spanish Civil War; throughout his experience, Orwell was subject to communist propaganda, which led to his distrust of authority and established hatred of fascist and communist governments (Rossi 2). Orwell’s views, along with his participation ...
The glorious days of the imperial giants have passed, marking the death of the infamous and grandiose era of imperialism. George Orwell's essay, Shooting an Elephant, deals with the evils of imperialism. The unjust shooting of an elephant in Orwell's story is the central focus from which Orwell builds his argument through the two dominant characters, the elephant and its executioner. The British officer, the executioner, acts as a symbol of the imperial country, while the elephant symbolizes the victim of imperialism. Together, the solider and the elephant turns this tragic anecdote into an attack on the institution of imperialism.
George Orwell investigated themes of power, totalitarianism and leadership in relation to Marxist theories throughout his novels yet seemed to direct them at a range of audiences. Investigate the extent to which Orwell alters his communication of the lies he wishes to expose and how they are conveyed to the reader through literary devices.