George Orwell's Shooting an Elephant

Q: What is the main critique of imperialism in George Orwell's Shooting an Elephant?

A: Orwell criticizes imperialism by showing it as a morally and psychologically corrupting force for both the colonizer and the colonized, trapping the colonizer in a role that often requires them to act against their own conscience.He illustrates how imperialism dehumanizes both parties, ultimately leading to internal conflict and suffering.

Q: How does Orwell depict the role of power in colonialism in Shooting an Elephant?

A: He illustrates power as a double-edged sword, where the colonizer is in a position of authority yet controlled by the expectations of the colonized, revealing the precariousness and absurdity of colonial power. The colonizer's authority is undermined by the need to maintain dominance, leading to moral dilemmas and contradictions.

Q: In Shooting an Elephant, how does Orwell describe the empire as a “spectacle”?

A: The empire is portrayed as a theatrical performance, where the colonizer is forced to act in ways that uphold the image of imperial power, as seen when Orwell is compelled to shoot the elephant to avoid ridicule. This spectacle highlights the absurdity and emptiness of imperial authority, showcasing the conflict between personal morality and public expectation.

Q: Why does Orwell feel forced to shoot the elephant?

A: He feels pressured by the expectation to act like a “white man” and uphold British authority, knowing that failing to shoot would undermine his image and lead to the crowd’s scorn and that the act of shooting the elephant ultimately reflects the moral conflict he faces between his personal beliefs and the demands of imperialism.

Q: What does it mean to say the colonizer “wears a mask” in Shooting an Elephant?

A: Orwell describes the colonizer as forced to wear a “mask” of authority, hiding personal feelings of guilt or uncertainty to project strength, as the role requires him to conform to colonial expectations. This mask symbolizes the conflict between personal identity and the persona imposed by imperialism, illustrating the internal struggle of the colonizer.

Q: How does Orwell feel about the “mask” he must wear?

A: He resents it, feeling like a puppet controlled by the imperial system, forced to perform duties he morally opposes to maintain the image of British superiority.He experiences inner conflict and alienation, recognizing that the "mask" prevents him from expressing his true self and beliefs.

Q: How are the Burmese people depicted as an “audience” in the essay?

A: The Burmese people watch Orwell, expecting him to act decisively as a colonial officer, which pressures him to behave in ways that reinforce British authority, despite his personal reluctance.Their presence highlights the expectations placed on him by imperialism.

Q: What role does the “audience” play in Orwell’s decision-making process?

A: Their presence compels Orwell to prioritize appearance over morality, as he feels he must shoot the elephant to meet their expectations and avoid public ridicule.This dynamic illustrates the conflict between individual conscience and societal pressure within the context of colonialism.

Q: What is ambivalence in colonial discourse, as depicted in Shooting an Elephant?

A: Ambivalence is the simultaneous feelings of power and vulnerability in the colonizer’s position, where they dominate but are also emotionally manipulated by the expectations of the colonized.In "Shooting an Elephant," ambivalence highlights the conflicting emotions of the colonizer, who feels both authoritative and constrained by the reactions of the colonized, revealing the complexities of imperial power dynamics.

Q: How does Orwell experience ambivalence toward the Burmese people?

A: He feels sympathy and guilt for their suffering under British rule but also resentment due to the mocking and hostility he faces from them as an imperial figure.This duality reflects his internal struggle between his role as a colonial officer and his personal beliefs, showcasing the complexities of his relationship with the colonized.

Q: How does Orwell show domination and submission in the colonizer-colonized relationship?

A: The British maintain control over the Burmese through force and intimidation, but the Burmese subtly resist and assert agency through acts of disrespect, such as jeering at Europeans.

Q: How does Orwell’s experience reveal his own submission to colonial expectations?

A: Despite having power, Orwell feels submissive to the expectations of the Burmese, indicating that colonial authority is only maintained through performance, not true power.

Q: How do the colonized exert power over the colonizer in Shooting an Elephant?

A: The Burmese people subtly control Orwell’s actions by expecting him to uphold the image of a sahib, pressuring him into shooting the elephant to avoid appearing weak.

Q: How do acts of ridicule by the Burmese affect Orwell?

A: Their acts, such as mocking and disrespecting the British, highlight Orwell’s inner conflict and undermine the colonial façade of control, making him feel both resentful and powerless.

Q: What does the phrase “A sahib has got to act like a sahib” mean in the context of the essay?

A: It means that a British officer must act with authority, regardless of personal feelings, to maintain the imperial image and respect of the natives.

Q: Why is conformity important for the colonial officer in Shooting an Elephant?

A: Conformity to colonial norms is crucial to avoid ridicule and maintain the illusion of British strength, even if it conflicts with personal morals.

Q: How does Orwell’s internal conflict reflect the attraction and repulsion theme in Shooting an Elephant?

A: He feels sympathy and guilt for the Burmese people but also anger and resentment due to the hostile treatment he receives from them, embodying the ambivalence of the colonial experience.

Q: How does Orwell’s feeling of hatred complicate his role as a colonizer?

A: His resentment towards both the system and the colonized people demonstrates the psychological toll of colonialism, as it forces him to act against his conscience and perpetuate violence.

Q: How do the Burmese people’s expectations impact Orwell’s behavior?

A: Their expectation that he must act decisively as a sahib pressures him into shooting the elephant, emphasizing how colonial authority relies on fulfilling these expected behaviors.

Q: Why do the Burmese people expect Orwell to act like a sahib?

A: Colonial discourse has taught the natives to associate the British with control and authority, creating a cycle where colonizers feel forced to conform to maintain respect.

Q: How does Orwell’s guilt contribute to his critique of imperialism?

A: His guilt about oppressing the Burmese under British rule highlights the ethical contradictions of imperialism, revealing that colonial power is morally flawed.

Q: Why does Orwell feel conflicted about his role in the empire?

A: He resents his part in oppressing people he feels sympathy for, but is bound by the expectations of imperial duty, embodying the moral ambivalence of colonial power.

Q: How does Orwell describe the absurdity of colonial power in Shooting an Elephant?

A: Orwell shows that colonial authority is precarious and reliant on performance, as he is forced to act against his will to maintain British supremacy, highlighting its instability.

Q: What does the act of shooting the elephant symbolize in Orwell’s critique?

A: It symbolizes the absurd sacrifices colonizers make to maintain authority, showing how colonialism forces individuals to act irrationally to uphold an unsustainable image of control.

Q: What themes from Shooting an Elephant would a documentary on colonialism highlight?

A: It would emphasize the violence, spectacle, racial hierarchies, and performative aspects of imperialism, as well as the psychological effects on both colonizers and colonized.

Q: How would a documentary provide context to Orwell’s experiences in Burma?

A: A documentary would likely explore how British imperial rule enforced racial dominance through violence and control, which Orwell personally experienced and critiqued in his essay.