Subject- The subject of George Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant" is imperialism that the author wished to convey to the audience. British imperialism is illustrated through his decision to kill an elephant that has broken loose and caused damage to the villages only for the purpose of not being seen as a fool. Here, the author implies that his intended purpose of using the rifle merely as a defense mechanism was overridden by the pressure the British government created.
Occasion- "Shooting an Elephant" was written during the early 1900s. The essay's time of creation is displayed by stating that Burma was where the story took place, which is now present day Myanmar. We know that it was the early 1900s because the British were still controlling Myanmar at that time, which was still Burma- a province of India. The probable place of the essay's creation is Moulmein, Burma. We know this because the narrator states it at the beginning.
The time and place of the essay's creation influenced the essay by illustrating how government was enforced under British imperialism at this time. This claim is illustrated when Orwell says, "For at that time I had already made up my mind that imperialism was an evil thing....I was all for the Burmese and all against their oppressors, the British." This shows how he was against imperialism, and that while he was not friendly with the Burmese, he knew they were being oppressed by the British and he did hate the type of rule they were being governed under.
Audience- George Orwell's specific audience for "Shooting an Elephant" are the English people, specifically ones under imperial rule.The author's target audience is revealed by his aggressive attacks on the idea of imperialism. He blatantly states that his decision of killing the elephant was on behalf of the government pressure when he says "Here was I, the white man with his gun, standing in front of the unarmed native crowd — seemingly the leading actor of the piece; but in reality I was only an absurd puppet pushed to and fro by the will of those yellow faces behind. ...He wears a mask, and his face grows to fit it." This proves that he has been forced to give up his freedom and followed what he is expected to do.
The author's general audience are people lacking knowledge of imperial rule. The author's general audience is shown how imperialistic rule has negative affects and can lead to unfortunate events to educate the people lacking this information. The knowledge he is providing is illustrated with his statement, "And it was at this moment, as I stood there with the rifle in my hands, that I first grasped the hollowness, the futility of the white man's dominion in the East." He proves that a white man, even one who can have complete dominion over others, is still useless and is being pressured into doing something he knows isn't right when it comes to terms of the government.
Purpose- George Orwell's purpose in "Shooting an Elephant" is to create awareness of self-destruction caused by imperialism. He wants to let the audience know what imperialism can do and tries to create or support repulsion towards this type of government. Creating a negative outlook on imperialism is revealed with, "I perceived in this moment that when the white man turns tyrant it is his own freedom that he destroys.” He says this, trying to show that harm will come to people who follow imperialism and it will destroy their freedom. The purpose is further revealed by "There was only one alternative." He is stating here how he must kill the elephant- he has no other choice anymore and his freedom is now gone.
Speaker- George Orwell, a writer opposed to totalitarianism and aware of social injustice, believes in freedom rather than being under government rule. This value is illustrated by "...secretly, of course — I was all for the Burmese and all against their oppressors, the British." This proves how he was for the Burmese, even given the fact that he was not liked by them. His values of freedom are illustrated by his desire to be against the oppressing British.
George Orwell's use of irony is evident in his last sentence, "I often wondered whether any of the others grasped that I had done it solely to avoid looking a fool." Irony presents the anecdote and helps the readers understand how imperialistic power limits freedom. Ironically, the natives control the executioner instead of the executioner controlling the natives. The execution of the elephant presented makes him feel important because he only cared of not being seen as a fool, even though he lost his freedom and did what he was expected to do.
George Orwell's use of imagery is evident when he describes the elephant saying that "peacefully eating, the elephant looked no more dangerous than a cow...with that preoccupied grandmotherly air that elephants have." This is used to create a more sympathetic feeling towards the elephant, as it is doing no harm. This allows for a bigger reaction when he kills the elephant due to the feelings the audience now has towards the elephant.
Tone- George Orwell exhibits a bitter and critical attitude about the idea of imperialism in "Shooting an Elephant". These attitudes are expressed with seriousness and attacks. The seriousness created throughout the story implements a critical tone where there is no room for "dilly-dallying". He is straight and to the point and very straightforward with his remarks. His attacks used on imperialism create a bitter tone that he uses to show his negative attitude toward imperialism as a whole.
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