“Shooting an Elephant” by George Orwell
Directions: While reading Orwell’s essay, please answer the following questions in complete sentences.
Important Terms to Understand:
Imperialism: The policy and/or practice of extending the power and dominion of a nation by directly taking control of a territory, or indirectly controlling the political and economic life of other areas.
Despotism: A system of government in which the ruler has unlimited power.
1. How did you react to the long introduction (paragraphs 1 and 2) to the incident described in this essay? Were you attentive, confused or something else?
2. The thesis is found in paragraph 3, when Orwell begins talking about the event. “It was a tiny incident in itself, but it gave me a better glimpse than I had had before of the real nature of imperialism—the real motives for which despotic governments act.” Based on the definitions above, what are your predictions for the rest of the essay?
3. Although Orwell begins narrating the event in paragraph 3, we do not see the elephant until the end of paragraph 5. What details does he provide, and how do they intensify the dramatic conflict?
4. How does Orwell wish to present himself to his readers in paragraphs 6 through 9? Do you follow the logic of his argument? Why or why not?
5. The actual shooting of the elephant is paced out over paragraphs 11 and 12. How does the elephant’s slow death affect Orwell’s response to the incident?
6. Orwell offers a very short reflection in the last paragraph of the essay. What are your impressions of his feelings towards the event?
7. Orwell was young, frightened, and tormented by strangers in a strange land. What parallels do you see between his experience and James Baldwin’s experience in “Stranger in the Village”?
8. Re-read the first two paragraphs. How does your second reading compare with the first?