What Attitude Does Orwell Express Towards Imperialism in “Shooting an Elephant”?

Answer

What attitude does Orwell express towards imperialism in “Shooting an Elephant”? 

Or, How does George Orwell depict the hatred of the colonizers and the natives in his essay “Shooting an Elephant”? 

Imperialism is when one country controls another for resources, power, or land. Colonizers are the rulers who take control, while the colonized are the people who are controlled. In “Shooting an Elephant” (1936), George Orwell (1903-1950) presents a critical view of imperialism. Here, he reflects on his experience as a British officer in Burma. He portrays imperialism as destructive. It dehumanizes both the colonizers and the colonized. The essay also explores the mutual hatred and resentment between the British rulers and the native Burmese people.

Imperialism as a Source of Injustice: Orwell describes imperialism as an oppressive system. It harms both the colonizers and the natives. He calls it “an evil thing”. He feels guilty witnessing the cruelty inflicted on the Burmese. He reflects on the suffering of the prisoners, describing 

… the wretched prisoners huddling in the stinking cages” and “the scarred buttocks of men who had been flogged with bamboos.

These vivid images expose the inhumane practices of imperialism. These rob the colonized of freedom and dignity while burdening the colonizers with guilt.

The Colonizer’s Moral Conflict: Orwell experiences a deep inner conflict as a British officer. He resents his role as an oppressor. But he feels trapped by the expectations of imperial authority. He admits, 

I had already made up my mind that imperialism was an evil thing.

However, he cannot fully sympathize with the Burmese, as their hostility fuels his frustration. This duality shows the moral contradictions of imperialism. Colonizers are forced into roles they hate, losing both their freedom and humanity.

Mutual Hatred Between Colonizers and Natives: Orwell vividly describes the animosity between the British rulers and the Burmese people. He writes, 

In Moulmein, in lower Burma, I was hated by large numbers of people …

He notes how the natives insult and mock him. He recalls incidents like being tripped during football games or having insults hurled at him on the streets. The young Buddhist priests particularly torment him the most. This shows how colonialism creates resentment. The natives hate their oppressors, and the colonizers become increasingly bitter.

The Colonizer’s Loss of Freedom: Orwell shows how imperialism enslaves the colonizers as much as the colonized. He notes, 

When the white man turns tyrant, it is his own freedom that he destroys.

As a colonial officer, he must appear authoritative. This is required even when he disagrees. The pressure to shoot the elephant shows this conflict. Imperialism forces colonizers to act against their conscience to maintain their image.

Symbolism of the Elephant: The elephant in the story symbolizes the destructive power of imperialism. Orwell likens the elephant’s rampage to the chaos caused by colonial rule. The elephant’s captivity drives it to destruction. Similarly, oppression pushes the colonized to rebel. Orwell’s decision to kill the elephant shows the moral compromises of imperialism. It traps colonizers in a cycle of violence and guilt.

In Termination, George Orwell exposes the destructive effects of imperialism on both the colonizers and the colonized. The author highlights the cruelty and moral corruption of the imperial system. The mutual hatred between the British and the Burmese upholds the toxic environment created by colonialism.