Shooting an Elephant
Literary devices are an important aspect to literature. They provide a deeper meaning to the story and refer to a specific aspect of literature which we can recognize, interpret, and analyze. Irony, imagery, flashbacks, figures of speech, and metaphors are all examples of literary devices that aid in the development of a strong story. George Orwell's story “Shooting an Elephant” is a good example of how multiple metaphors can be used to compare unrelated events with the same meanings. One of the strongest metaphors in this story is the elephant and its destructive path, it portrays British Imperialism and their aggressive take over. The long drawn out death of the elephant is also a metaphor for the downfall of the British Empire and its long lasting effects. The effects can also bee seen in the narrators thoughts, and feelings towards Burmese people and Imperialism, guilt towards shooting the elephant and justification of the killing in the end. The narrators feelings are the hostile feelings toward the British, Imperialism, and the Britain's justification for their actions. The narrators story of shooting an elephant can easily stand alone and still be meaningful and effective but once the metaphors of the British Empire . . .
Also apparent is the sense of guilt the narrator feels when he sees the elephant “lying there, powerless to move, and yet powerless to die. ”(39) As Britains became doubtful of their right to rule others, both sides began to feel hatred, and resentment toward the British Empire. The narrator has made himself believe that he was right and it was legal to kill the elephant, by manifesting ideas to justify what he had done, by stating “legally I did the right thing, a mad elephant has to be killed, like a mad dog, if its owner fails to control it. The narrator even acknowledges the fact that the elephant “took no notice of you if you left him alone, but he might charge if you went to close to him. ”(34) The narrators thoughts, actions, and emotions towards shooting and elephant is quite a compelling story in itself, but once the metaphors of the British Empire and the evils of Imperialism are paralleled with these events, the story take on a new meaning. The narrators justification of his actions perhaps also reflects British thoughts at the time. Work Cited http://www. The reign of the British in Burma was held from 1886 until the late 1930s. ” (35) The elephants drawn out death shows, just like the British Empire, it takes long time to destroy something which is so enormous. The narrators feelings and thoughts can also be considered a metaphor because of how it reflects the feelings and thoughts of many people towards the British Empire and Imperialism. are paralleled with Orwell's tale, it takes on a whole new meaning and creates a deeper, more significant narrative. It was not until aggression arose from the Burmese people that the British commenced to take over. Just as the narrator felt “Theoretically -- and secretly, of course -- I was all for the Burmese and all against their oppressors, the British.
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