Shooting an Elephant is about the experiences the author goes through living as a British police officer in Lower Burma. He tells how he was hated for being a European, even though he did not agree with British Empire. He was stuck between his hatred for empire, and his contempt for the Burmese. During the story he is called upon to decide whether or not to kill the elephant that had just ravaged a bazaar. He knows that the best thing to do would be to let it live, but he knows that if he does this then he would be ridiculed by the Burmese spectators. So he ends up shooting the elephant just to satisfy the people that he disliked, and also to avoid looking a fool.
I think that the author's purpose in writing this essay was to show the hollowness and futility of the white man's dominion in the East. On page 171 we see an example of this when he says, "And my whole life, every white man's life in the East, was one long struggle not to be laughed at." In reality the natives control the white man, because in order to impress the natives the white man must do whatever they expect him to do. Therefore the white man becomes a puppet in the hands of the natives. I think the author is writing to all those that encounter similar situations to what he was in. The essay is organized chronologically with some background at the beginning that helps the reader better understand the conflict. The essay is a narrative, and written with colorful descriptions that make it easier to read. .
I loved the essay more than any of the other ones that we have read so far. I believe that the author's point is so true, and almost inescapable. I also liked it so much because I think that the author is an excellent writer. I especially enjoyed the paragraph that started on page 170, and carried on to page 171. I thought that this paragraph was written perfectly with real truth and depth. I think another reason I liked it so much, was because I kind of related to him having been in a somewhat similar situation.
