Symbolism in Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant" Explained
This essay analyzes the use of symbolism in George Orwell's short story "Shooting an Elephant." It examines how the elephant serves as the story's most powerful symbol, representing both British imperialism and the dying Burmese society. The essay also explores the narrator's dual symbolic role as a representative of both British colonial authority and the oppressed Burmese people. Drawing on secondary sources by David Barry Asker and Kenneth Keskinen, the essay argues that Orwell uses layered symbolism to expose the moral contradictions embedded in colonial rule and to illustrate how tyranny diminishes the freedom of both the ruled and the ruler.
- Introduction: Symbolism and Imperialism: Overview of Orwell's symbolic framework and thesis
- The Elephant as Symbol of Oppression: Elephant symbolizes dying Burmese society under colonialism
- The Narrator as a Dual Symbol: Narrator embodies both colonial authority and Burmese oppression
- Conclusion: The Complexities of Colonial Symbolism: Synthesis of symbolic readings and thematic complexity
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What makes this paper effective
- The essay identifies multiple layers of symbolism—the elephant, the narrator, and the act of killing—and traces how each reinforces Orwell's central argument about the moral costs of imperialism.
- Secondary sources (Asker and Keskinen) are integrated to support the student's interpretations, giving the analysis scholarly grounding rather than relying solely on personal reading.
- The narrator's internal conflict is used to demonstrate a nuanced point: that colonial power diminishes the freedom of the colonizer as much as the colonized, which elevates the essay beyond surface plot summary.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The essay demonstrates symbol tracing: rather than identifying a symbol once and moving on, the student follows the elephant's symbolic meaning across multiple moments in the story—its first appearance, the decision to kill it, and its slow death—showing how meaning accumulates and deepens throughout the narrative.
Structure breakdown
The essay opens with a thesis-driven introduction outlining the paper's symbolic framework. The second section focuses on the elephant as the dominant symbol of the Burmese and imperialism. The third section shifts to the narrator's dual symbolic identity and his moral entrapment. A brief conclusion synthesizes the symbolic readings and restates the story's thematic complexity. The structure is straightforward and matches the argument's progression logically.
Introduction: Symbolism and Imperialism
George Orwell's story Shooting an Elephant tells a story about humanity through symbolism. The elephant is the most powerful symbol in the story, representing British imperialism. Even the elephant's death carries symbolic weight. The narrator becomes a symbol in more than one way: he represents British rule, but he also represents the Burmese people. The symbolism in "Shooting an Elephant" is powerful because it deals with real people and matters of life and death. Through symbolism, Orwell demonstrates the danger that exists when one group attempts to rule over another under the pretense that such rule will benefit those governed. The narrator's conflicting emotions about shooting the elephant reflect his deeper sentiments toward the spread of imperialism. The symbolic death offers the Burmese a false sense of security. Symbolism operates throughout this story to inspire reflection on freedom, oppression, death, and honor.
The Elephant as Symbol of Oppression
The elephant becomes the most powerful symbol in the story. Our first impression of it is that it represents Burmese society crumbling under British imperialism. When the narrator looks upon the creature, he does not see something to fear. He knows he should not kill it. Kenneth Keskinen maintains, "Colonialism, like the great elephant with its royal blood, like velvet, is dying. Trusteeships are created. Individuals seize power. Political structures are made, altered, replaced" (Keskinen). He goes on to say, "However, it is not simply that the British . . . should go home; but those who help and lead, those who are helped and led, must recognize the individual human being, with feelings and dignity, as well as the political being seeking civil rights" (Keskinen).
The narrator begins to understand the importance of humanity through a sense of dignity. The elephant also serves as a symbol for humanity in general, emphasizing the notion that no one should suffer under the rule of another. Asker maintains that the elephant "comes to represent a complex symbol of the Burmese people and the tide of historical contradiction that threatens (literally and metaphorically) to overwhelm the colonial ruler" (Asker 154).
The animal's death symbolizes the slow death of the Burmese people. Before the British arrived, the Burmese were getting along on their own; they experienced struggle only after the British entered their land. Like the elephant, Burma is dying slowly and painfully as it surrenders its freedom. The narrator's sentiments about the animal's death are a direct analogy to what is happening to the Burmese. He knows that what the British are doing is wrong. The Burmese should be left alone, just as the elephant should have been.
Conclusion: The Complexities of Colonial Symbolism
In Shooting an Elephant, Orwell explores the many facets of humanity through various symbols. The elephant is a symbol of the oppressed Burmese who did not ask for British help and do not appreciate the British presence. They do not understand why the white man must come and rule over them. The elephant represents the Burmese in that they, too, are dying — perhaps unaware that the British are slowly destroying them, yet clearly resentful of the intrusion. The animal's death is also symbolic in that it forces readers to confront the inevitable demise of Burmese society under colonial rule. The narrator serves as a symbol of the Burmese as well, in that he is just as trapped as they are. He becomes a puppet to their expectations just as they are compelled to behave in ways dictated by colonial power. The story illustrates the complexities of colonial life through layered and effective symbolism.
Works Cited
Asker, David Barry. Aspects of Metamorphosis. Atlanta: Rodopi, 2001.
Keskinen, Kenneth. "'Shooting an Elephant': An Essay to Teach." English Journal. 1996. GALE Resource Database. Information retrieved March 28, 2009. <http://www.infotrac.galegroup.com>
Orwell, George. "Shooting an Elephant." The Lexington Reader. Lexington: D.C. Heath and Company, 1987.
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