ENG WEEK 4 DISCUSSION

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Somerset Community College *

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101

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Arts Humanities

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Jan 9, 2024

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docx

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How do you think he relates the shooting of the elephant to the nature of imperialism? -In Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant," the narrator shoots an elephant in a Burmese town to satisfy the expectations of the local crowd. He sees this act as an incident but believes it offers a deeper understanding of imperialism. The shooting symbolizes the oppressive and dehumanizing nature of imperialism, where those in power are obliged to act against their own beliefs to maintain control. In what ways are Orwell's elephant and Thiong'o's education similar? -In Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's "Decolonizing the Mind," education becomes a tool of imperialism. Thiong'o discusses the impact of Western education on African identity, language, and culture. He argues that education, like in Orwell's story "Shooting an Elephant," is a means of control and oppression. -Orwell's elephant and Thiong'o's education represent external forces imposing their will on a community. The elephant, though powerful and potentially dangerous, is a metaphor for the colonial powers that dominate and control the colonized people. The shooting of the elephant illustrates the forced submission to imperial rule, just as the imposition of Western education in Thiong'o's work reflects the cultural dominance of imperialism. How do they differ? -Orwell's elephant and Thiong'o's education are different because they represent distinct things in their stories. The elephant in Orwell's story shows how those in power under imperialism can be obliged to take actions they don't want to. On the other hand, Thiong'o's education is about the imposition of Western ways on African culture. It's not a literal burden like an elephant, but more about how ideas and languages are forced upon a community, changing their identity and way of life. So, while both involve a form of control, one is a physical act (shooting the elephant), and the other is a cultural influence (imposing education). Use examples from the text(s) to back up your points. -Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant" and Thiong'o's "Decolonizing the Mind" highlight the destructive nature of imperialism. The shooting of the elephant and the imposition of Western education serve as poignant metaphors for the issues of power, control, and cultural subjugation inherent in imperialistic systems. -Orwell can better understand imperialism through his run-in with the elephant because the elephant serves as a symbol of colonialism. For example, in a way similar to Orwell's colonization and abuse of the Burmese, the oppression of the elephant has provoked it to engage in destructive behavior. While this behavior and the Burmese's more subtle rebelliousness may not be good things, they are made understandable given the oppressive conditions both the elephant and the Burmese must endure (LitChart, 2023).
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