5 Matching Annotations
  1. Sep 2018
  2. acikders.ankara.edu.tr acikders.ankara.edu.tr
    Microsoft Word - Shooting an Elephant
    5
    1. margaret_rose 20 Sep 2018
      Iperceivedinthismomentthatwhenthewhitemanturnstyrantitishisownfreedomthathedestroys.Hebecomesasortofhollow,posingdummy,theconventionalizedfigureofasahib.Foritistheconditionofhisrulethatheshallspendhislifeintryingtoimpressthe"natives,"andsoineverycrisishehasgottodowhatthe"natives"expectofhim

      This reminds me of "The White Man's Burden" in how Orwell views his position of authority as a burden that he doesn't want to bear, but must. The idea that native people clearly look up to him as he has the superior technology and intelligence to solve problems that they cannot.

    2. margaret_rose 20 Sep 2018
      IoftenwonderedwhetheranyoftheothersgraspedthatIhaddoneitsolelytoavoidlookingafoo

      I wonder how old Orwell was when this occurs. He seems very unsure of himself and his place in the world.

    3. margaret_rose 20 Sep 2018
      TheyoungBuddhistpriestsweretheworstofall.TherewereseveralthousandsoftheminthetownandnoneofthemseemedtohaveanythingtodoexceptstandonstreetcornersandjeeratEuropeans

      Buddhist priests are suppose to be peaceful... I wonder if their "jeering" at Europeans is all in the author's head? It could be a manifestation of the guilt he feels occupying their country.

    4. margaret_rose 20 Sep 2018
      Igotup.TheBurmanswerealreadyracingpastmeacrossthemud.Itwasobviousthattheelephantwouldneverriseagain,buthewasnotdead.Hewasbreathingveryrhythmicallywithlongrattlinggasps,hisgreatmoundofasidepainfullyrisingandfalling.Hismouthwaswideopen--Icouldseefardownintocavernsofpalepinkthroat.Iwaitedalongtimeforhimtodie,buthisbreathingdidnotweaken.FinallyIfiredmytworemainingshotsintothespotwhereIthoughthisheartmustbe.Thethickbloodwelledoutofhimlikeredvelvet,butstillhedidnotdie.Hisbodydidnotevenjerkwhentheshotshithim,thetorturedbreathingcontinuedwithoutapause.Hewasdying,veryslowlyandingreatagony,butinsomeworldremotefrommewherenotevenabulletcoulddamagehimfurther.IfeltthatIhadgottoputanendtothatdreadfulnoise.ItseemeddreadfultoseethegreatbeastLyingthere,powerlesstomoveandyetpowerlesstodie,andnoteventobeabletofinishhim.Isentbackformysmallrifleandpouredshotaftershotintohisheartanddownhisthroat.Theyseemedtomakenoimpression.Thetorturedgaspscontinuedassteadilyasthetickingofaclock.IntheendIcouldnotstanditanylongerandwentaway.Iheardlaterthatittookhimhalfanhourtodie.BurmanswerebringingdahsandbasketsevenbeforeIleft,andIwastoldtheyhadstrippedhisbodyalmosttothebonesbytheafternoon.

      Orwell has shot the elephant several times with an elephant rifle, but he has still not died. Orwell tries to put an end to his suffering by shooting him in the heart and down his throat, but the elephant still lives, dying slowly in agony. He seems to be the only one who cares, the locals pleased with their circus and the meat they can get from the elephant.

    5. margaret_rose 20 Sep 2018
      IthoughtthatthegreatestjoyintheworldwouldbetodriveabayonetintoaBuddhistpriest'sguts.Feelingslikethesearethenormalby-productsofimperialism;askanyAnglo-Indianofficial,

      This is the second tim that Orwell has brought out the Buddhists priests, but this time in a grossly violent way. What's worse is the fact that he justifies it.

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