Short Note on ‘Imperialism’
Shooting an Elephant is a notable literary work by George Orwell. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of Shooting an Elephant.
Answer
Write a short note on ‘Imperialism’.
Or What do you know about imperialism?
Imperialism is when a powerful country controls weaker countries or regions to expand its influence and power. This control is often political, economic, and cultural. The stronger country is called the colonizer. They use the resources and people of the weaker country for their own benefit. This system causes harm to the weaker nations and snatches away their freedom.
For example, during British imperialism, countries like India and Burma were ruled by Britain. The British took natural resources, imposed their laws, and tried to spread their culture and language. This created inequality and exploitation in these colonized nations.
Imperialism also affects the colonizers. It forces them to maintain control over others, often leading to violence and moral conflicts. George Orwell’s (1903-1950) “Shooting an Elephant” (1936) shows this when the narrator, a British officer in Burma, kills an elephant to avoid looking weak in front of locals. Orwell didn’t need to kill the elephant. Moreover, the act of killing involved considerable risk for himself. Nonetheless, he killed the animal only to avoid being laughed at. This act symbolizes the pressure and cruelty imperialism creates for both the rulers and the ruled.
Imperialism spreads power unfairly and harms both the strong and the weak. It creates oppression, suffering, and long-lasting conflicts. Many countries today still deal with the effects of past imperialism.