What Is Imperialism

“Shooting an Elephant,” an essay published in 1936, uses multiple devices to inform readers about imperialism and how it negatively affects the oppressed and the oppressor. George Orwell, the author of the essay, was a supporter of democratic socialism and was a strong advocate against social injustices. The essay was based on a time when Orwell was a police officer in colonial Burma. Orwell uses an elephant throughout the essay to effectively explain to the audience the relationship between the Burmese and the British. In addition, he also directly and indirectly talks about his feelings towards imperialism through the use of symbolism, metaphors, syntax, and diction . Orwell

In the extract, "Shooting An Elephant" Orwell conveys his message through the use of various persuasive tools. He wants the reader to identify when somebody assumes power. This technique is used to show that the powerful are also a captive to the will of people they control. Everyone involved in the situation becomes affected. In this instance, imperialism has a negative affect on them all. The various persuasive tools identified are, symbolism, metaphors and irony throughout the extract.

He exemplifies this through a metaphor used when approaching the elephant with the rifle, describing that he “was only an absurd puppet pushed to and fro by the will of those yellow faces” (152). Orwell explains that “the Burmese population had no weapons and were quite helpless” (149) and yet, even with the rifle in his hand he feels equally as powerless. This metaphor details the true nature of imperialism and the reliance on the perception of power rather than actual possession of it. In this situation, Orwell is forced to maintain the perception of power as he cannot “trail feebly away, having done nothing … [as] the crowd would laugh at [him]” (152). This crowd of people dictates his actions because he must constantly project the image of power and confidence. Any doubt threatens the strength of Orwell and in turn the empire. Each of these yellow faces holds a string and with their expectations and desires moves Orwell to shoot the elephant. This metaphor creates a vivid image for the reader of Orwell’s helplessness and the obligations that bind him to take action. One may assume that those obligations lie with the Empire, as he is their officer, however it’s the Burmese who pull his strings. Specifically, Orwell is emphasizing to readers the fragility of British power and how the role of power pressures one to act according to the will of those

In the essay ?Shooting an Elephant? by George Orwell, the author uses metaphors to represent his feelings on imperialism, the internal conflict between his personal morals, and his duty to his country. Orwell demonstrates his perspectives and feelings about imperialism.and its effects on his duty to the white man?s reputation. He seemingly blends his opinions and subjects into one, making the style of this essay generally very simple but also keeps it strong enough to merit numerous interpretations. Orwell expresses his conflicting views regarding imperialism throughout the essay by using three examples of oppression and by deliberatly using his introspection on

Many people had different feelings about Imperialism. Some thought it was a good idea and some didn't. There was a bit of diversity on the topic. You were either for it or against it. And there were was a variety of options on it, too.

Imperialism has been one of the most powerful forces in human history, serving to set the foundation of our modern world. While this has led to the formation of a global society where cultures, ideas, and innovations are spread across countries, imperialism has also left a history of exploitation, racism, and violence that is still affecting the world today. Imperial relationships are always imbalanced when it comes to power and influence; that is, one group (known as the metropole) maintains authority and control over another group (known as the periphery) with economic, political, and cultural dominance (Spiegel 2012). There are many reasons why one group chooses to dominate the other, such as expanding territory, extracting raw resources to fuel economic development, or to spread their beliefs (i.e. religion) (Spiegel 2012). In spite of these varied reasons, one of the main motivators for imperialism began with competition between empires.

Imperialism is a major part of world history. It has created borders, wars, and nations with its ideas and actions but many people do not know what it was or how it shaped the modern world. It also brought a darker side of humanity that crushed many lives and cultures. So what is imperialism, why did it make people inhumane, and what is its impact on world history.

Imperialism, sometimes referred to as expansionism, or colonialism, has had many outcomes for the country being taken over, the nation invading, and how its effects still influence our world today. As Imperialism in short is a nation invading another for many reasons such as power, influence, goods, and many more! Everything it did, and worked for was to be in benefit, to their ruling nation. This reason could be and seems to be the main reason the Thirteen Colonies became resentful of Britain. As the colonies blamed Britain for everything that happened, and unfortunately everything that didn’t happen. They were unhappy with the life they were being forced to live in, and as a result revolted. Not everything was bad in these countries, as the more developed nation that take over brings about with it a wave of progression. The progression movement was amazing in a sense even although the mother nation did exploit these countries, the most damaging consequence of being an imperial colony, that is still affecting us today, is that it brought Racism with it.

During the 19th century, King Leopold II of Belgium compared Africa to a cake. At the Berlin Conference in 1885, seven European nations took slices of Africa for themselves without discussing any details with Africans. From a 21st century perspective, this seems like a selfish thing to have done, so why did Europeans engage in imperialism? Certainly, political factors, cultural causes, and technological advancements were important. But the primary cause was economic. European nations competed to exploit the rich resources of Africa for financial and commercial gain.

(Answer 1.)- As explained by The Dictionary of Human Geography, Imperialism is the conception or preservation of an unequal economic, cultural, and territorial relationship usually between states and often in the form of an empire, based on domination and subordination. Imperialism is pretty much using the countries power through military force or politics.

How unfree lots of people are and compares to others and how lucky some people are.Shows that whites still want to change people because of the color of their skin. They justify themself saying they're doing the right thing when they’re doing the wrong thing. It shows that the hutu were liked better because they were lighter and taller than tusi. It caused so many problems like genocide and the other countries won’t help them because they think they are dirt and don't need it. Then the good military was forced to leave because they were white and all blacks had to stay unprotected to die because they were black. Most of them survived because they got out passed the tutsi rebels so they look down upon whites because they have no respect for human nature. “Take up the white man’s burden The savage wars of peace” ( White man’s burden author unknown). The White man's burden tells us how the whites treated black people and how they had to make them think there lower than you so you could fix what’s wrong with them. We found many different point of the poem trying to figure out if it’s real or if it’s sarcastic and it really doesn’t matter all the important is you take away what the did to black people.

Imperialism is the practice of a country taking over, or colonizing other parts of the world and while doing so, increasing their own country’s power. They help other countries with trade, sometimes improving that country’s economy. They also may help poorer countries by influencing the way they live. Imperialism is the practice of establishing financial or political dominance over another country. The colonizing country is seeking to build upon its empire for the greater good of its people, other colonizing countries want control over that country for themselves.

Imperialism is a policy used by political leaders to extend their authority over foreign entities as a means of acquiring and maintaining empires. The extension of authority would create an opportunity for the imperialists to exercise political and economic control on other countries. George Orwell argues against the taste of imperialism and its abuse of power in his narrative “Shooting an Elephant”. It is essential to show concern in resolving racial discrimination because of the integrity and viability of individuals. Imperialism involves exploitation of the natives, the oppressed and squeezing them to from different angles for example restricting the freedom of the oppressed. George Orwell expresses anger and disgust against any kind of oppression and tyranny to the less advantaged individuals (Alam and Sarwar, 55). The imperialists burdened the poor natives by inflicting on them hatred and torment. The imperialists considered the Asians as culturally inferior as they humiliate and subjugate them as racially inferior individuals. George Orwell desired to rescue the poor natives from the exploitations by the imperialists (Doyle and James, 15). The Orwell’s narrative “Shooting an elephant” is a demonstration of George Orwell’s argument against the taste of empire-building and its abuse on the poor natives.

In the article, entitled “Shooting an Elephant” by George Orwell, the narrator shows the “dark and dirty” face of imperialism with his displeasure toward colonial Britain, gives insight into the human psychology, and clarifies the conflict between his inner feelings and duties/responsibilities as a police officer of the conqueror country. This article exposes remarkable points of imperialistic manners by conqueror country, losing the freedom and life long struggle in colonized land- Burma. The narrator claims that the imperialism is evil by saying it humiliates the citizens of occupied country, makes people become inferior to imperialist country. Secondly, imperialism limits/restricts the rights of occupied people by not allowing them

In 1936, George Orwell published his short story ‘Shooting an elephant’ in an English magazine. Since then, it has been republished dozens of times and holds a place as a definitive anti-colonial piece of literature, in an era where the British Empire was at its peak and covered almost 1/3 of the Earth’s surface. George Orwell believed that “…imperialism was an evil thing...” and uses much themes, symbolism and irony to convey his strong anti-colonialist feelings.