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Shooting An Elephant

Shooting An Elephant 
by George Orwell


Shooting An Elephant is one of the most popular essays of George Orwell. Through this essay the writer throws a light on the anti-colonial and anti European feelings of the natives of Burma. He has illustrated the influence of colonialism and its evil effects in ruling the natives. The writer served as a police officer in Lower Burma and thus become a part of imperialistic rule. Through this essay the writer has expressed his anti-imperialistic feelings. His job provides a scope to him study the evil aspects of imperialism. Though he had sympathy for the natives they hated him as he belonged to the ruling class. He was in a fix. He was strongly against imperialism and colonialism, but he served the European imperialists. Whenever the natives would find the opportunity, they would try to mock him and laugh at him. He created a psychological pressure on him. Through this essay the author has bitterly criticized colonialism. As a police officer he observed how the rulers exploited the natives. The incident of shooting an elephant was trifle in nature, but through this incident he got a clear idea of the evil effects of imperialism in British colonies. The writer had no intention to kill the domestic elephant. He was compelled to kill it because of psychological pressure. Standing with the rifle in his hands before killing the animal, the writer understood the worthlessness of imperial rule and the futility of the white man's domination in the east. 

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