Reflection on Orwell's Shooting an Elephant

¶ … Shooting an Elephant" reveals the shift in public consciousness related to imperialism and colonialism. Whereas Kipling had revealed sympathy and an apologetic stance toward British colonialism in India, Orwell reveals disdain for the Crown enterprises abroad. From the very first line in the essay, "I was hated by large numbers of people -- the only time in my life that I have been important enough for this to happen to me," it becomes apparent that Orwell is making broad social and political commentary that still bears relevance almost a hundred years after it was published.

The anti-European sentiment extant in Burma when Orwell penned "Shooting an Elephant" remains palpable around the world. De-colonization and restructuring of old societies has been a difficult endeavor for the places that were subjugated by the British and other European colonial governments. Africa, South America, and Asia are ripe with examples of colonialism gone wrong. Corrupt governments have evolved in the vacuum of power and legitimacy created by colonialism. Cultural imperialism in the form of Christian missionaries has also destroyed the possibility of many areas to recover from colonialism. There are structures of hierarchy and political power that keep the majority of people in places like Burma oppressed and repressed. Orwell presaged the devastating effects colonialism would have on the evolution of human societies and cultures. American imperialism also bears its stamp on the world, and has led to effects as damaging as those Orwell suggests in "Shooting an Elephant." Orwell wrote the essay in the wake of British imperialism, but the argument might equally apply to the American interventions later in Southeast Asia that would change the character of those societies, perhaps permanently.

Orwell does not mince words. He comes right out and states, "I had already made up my mind that imperialism was an evil thing and the sooner I chucked up my job and got out of it the better." For this reason, "Shooting an Elephant" is a bold political essay. Colonialism and imperialism were waning trends when the essay was written, but the author understood that the structures of political and economic power put in place by colonial governments were long lasting. From the British East India Company and the Dutch East India Company to British Petroleum, the ravages of colonialism are felt at ever level of every society worldwide.