The juxtaposition of the policeman and the elephant in George Orwell's Shooting an Elephant is a clear representation of the impact of imperial rule on a country. The helplessness of the people of Burma against the imperialists is portrayed through the elephant's inevitable death as well as the moral dilemma the policeman faces. The event of the elephant's death is quite clearly enough to show the impact of imperial rule on the country as a whole however; Orwell goes to the extent to show ... how imperial rule affects the individual ... ...

• Word Count: 852
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... a story that was written to entertain but it's main purpose was to explain to the readers about government issues, political issues, and events that were taking place at that period of time or even past events that had already taken place. In the short story, "Shooting an Elephant", the author, George Orwell, states "All this was perplexing and upsetting. For at that time ... that imperialism was an evil thing and the sooner I chucked up my job and got our of it the better. Theoretically-and secretly of course- I was all for the Burmese and all against their oppressors, the British." (Orw...

• Word Count: 342
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: Undergraduate