Mathew MoodyBarbra JonesEnglish 1302-54March 19, 2014Literary AnalysisLiterary Analysis - Shooting of an Elephant“At Moulmein, in Lower Burma, I was hated by many of people - the only time in my life I was important enough for this to happen to me. I was a sub-divisional police officer of the city and, in a petty and aimless way, the anti-European feeling was very bitter. This is one of the strongest quotes in the powerful literary work that foreshadows the mysterious events to come. The author George Orwell was an English novelist, essayist, journalist and critic. He is one of the most publicized novelists of his time as he is commonly ranked as one of the most influential English writers of the 20th century. He is also said to be one of the most important chroniclers of English culture of his generation. Shooting an Elephant is an essay written by George Orwell that was first published in a literary magazine. George Orwell begins this article by stating his views on British imperialism. He states that British imperialism is not only evil, but also opposes these oppressors. He himself was a British officer at the time, but he also felt guilty. There was a certain hatred he felt towards himself, his empire and the 'little evil beasts'. Orwell writes about his personal experiences with the elephant and his opinions on the metaphorical issue. He feels hostile to imperialism, the British and their justifications for their actions to take control of Burma. Orwell was very disgusted by “disgusted by the inhumanity of the colonial regime which he witnessed while stationed in Burma”. He used his writings to show the conflict taking place inside an Imperial police station...... middle of paper ......adder it would have looked like a fool if he hadn't shot the elephant, yet Orwell denies saying he would also have upheld a higher standard of ethics and honor if he hadn't pulled the trigger and killed the elephant. Although the death of the elephant may have been disturbing to the reader, Orwell does not openly say that he made a mistake in killing the elephant, who shows no remorse. In fact, the essay ends before the reader can truly understand the author's deepest feelings about why the elephant was killed. The elephant received sympathy from readers due to its painful death. The memories of the open, drooling mouth, the red velvet blood and the shrunken figure are the punishment Orwell must live with for submitting to the will of the Burmese. Orwell deserves the integrity he lost and the guilt he must endure because of the elephant's suffering.