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Shooting an Elephant By George Orwell

Q: What is the main theme of 'Shooting an Elephant' by George Orwell?

The main theme of 'Shooting an Elephant' is the moral and psychological conflict caused by imperialism . Orwell explores how the pressures of authority, pride, and conscience affect decision-making and expose the evils of colonial rule.

Q: What lesson activities work best for teaching 'Shooting an Elephant' in a K-12 classroom?

Effective lesson activities include debates on moral dilemmas , analyzing character motivation, exploring historical context, and creative writing exercises about pride and authority. Using visual aids or storyboards can boost engagement.

Q: Why is imperialism portrayed as harmful in 'Shooting an Elephant'?

Imperialism is shown as harmful because it causes resentment, injustice, and suffering for both the oppressed and the oppressors. Orwell illustrates the damaging cycle of mistrust and poor decision-making created by colonial rule.

Lesson Plans by Kristy Littlehale

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”Shooting An Elephant” by George Orwell is a seemingly biographical account of Orwell (real name Eric Blair) and his experience as a Burmese police officer in the British Indian colony. While there have been debates as to whether or not Orwell was actually the officer depicted in the story, or if it was a colleague, the focus of the story is on the narrator’s internal struggle to complete his duty as an officer of the British Empire in order to avoid looking like a fool in front of the Burmese people. While the narrator knows that he needs to carry out certain duties because of his position, he does not necessarily feel that the British oppression of the Burmese people is the right thing. However, the Burmese people do not make his job easy because they resent his position as an oppressor, and this creates an ugly cycle of escalating ill-treatment on both sides. Thus, British Imperialism as a whole comes under fire in the narrative, a common theme of Orwell’s writings. In this short story, Orwell explores important themes such as the evils of imperialism, the crisis of conscience, and the struggle with pride.

Student Activities for Shooting an Elephant

Plot Diagram

Shooting an Elephant by George Orwell - Summarizing "Shooting an Elephant"

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Dilemma

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Literary Conflict

Shooting an Elephant by George Orwell - Conflict in "Shooting an Elephant"

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Themes, Symbols, and Motifs

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Visual Vocabulary

Shooting an Elephant by George Orwell - "Shooting an Elephant" Vocabulary

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Essential Questions for “Shooting An Elephant”

Why is imperialism damaging to the native people of a country?
Why is following one’s conscience important?
How can pride get in the way of making good decisions?
What kinds of resentments can build up between an occupied people and their despotic government?
What is a dilemma?
How do dilemmas reveal important characteristics and personality traits?

East India Company and British Colonialism

The East India Company was established in 1600 by Queen Elizabeth I to share in the spice trade. Eventually, the company became a foothold for the British Empire’s spread into the Indian subcontinent. The British Empire, at its height, became the largest empire in the world; however, its exploitation of native peoples in its territories led to disastrous consequences. In India, famine became a regular occurrence, and the economic policies of Britain led to severe poverty. Students can read more about impact of the East India Company and the British Raj at the following sites:

The Telegraph has great photos for students to view of life in the British Raj. The obvious class differences between the British and native Indians is startling.

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How Tos about Shooting an Elephant By George Orwell

How can I facilitate a classroom debate on imperialism using 'Shooting an Elephant'?

Encourage critical thinking by organizing a classroom debate where students explore the theme of imperialism from multiple perspectives. Assign roles such as British officials, Burmese citizens, or the narrator, and have students use evidence from the text to support their views. This activity helps students develop empathy, understand historical context, and practice respectful discussion skills.

Prepare students with background knowledge about British imperialism.

Share quick facts or short videos on British colonial history before reading the story. Contextual understanding enables students to better grasp the motivations and dilemmas faced by the narrator and other characters.

Assign debate roles and guidelines.

Divide your class into groups and assign each a perspective: Burmese citizens, British officials, or the narrator. Provide debate rules—such as speaking time limits and respectful listening—to keep the activity focused and fair.

Guide students in gathering evidence from the text.

Ask students to find quotes and examples in 'Shooting an Elephant' that support their assigned viewpoints. Model how to cite evidence for arguments, making the debate more informed and meaningful.

Facilitate and moderate the debate session.

Lead the debate by posing open-ended questions and encouraging students to respond thoughtfully. Step in as needed to clarify misunderstandings and keep discussion on topic.

Reflect on the debate and connect it to real-world issues.

Wrap up with a group reflection where students share insights about imperialism, conscience, and pride. Make connections to current events or civic issues to deepen understanding and relevance.

Frequently Asked Questions about Shooting an Elephant By George Orwell

What is the main theme of 'Shooting an Elephant' by George Orwell?

The main theme of 'Shooting an Elephant' is the moral and psychological conflict caused by imperialism. Orwell explores how the pressures of authority, pride, and conscience affect decision-making and expose the evils of colonial rule.

How can I quickly introduce 'Shooting an Elephant' to my students?

Start by summarizing the story: George Orwell, as a British police officer in Burma, faces an internal struggle when forced to shoot an elephant. Discuss how the story highlights imperialism, conscience, and pride, then use essential questions to spark discussion.

What lesson activities work best for teaching 'Shooting an Elephant' in a K-12 classroom?

Effective lesson activities include debates on moral dilemmas, analyzing character motivation, exploring historical context, and creative writing exercises about pride and authority. Using visual aids or storyboards can boost engagement.

Why is imperialism portrayed as harmful in 'Shooting an Elephant'?

Imperialism is shown as harmful because it causes resentment, injustice, and suffering for both the oppressed and the oppressors. Orwell illustrates the damaging cycle of mistrust and poor decision-making created by colonial rule.

What are some essential questions to ask students about 'Shooting an Elephant'?

Ask questions such as: Why is imperialism damaging? Why is following one’s conscience important? How does pride affect decisions? What dilemmas arise between rulers and the ruled? These open-ended questions encourage critical thinking.

Image Attributions

Areca/betel nut • sanoopuio • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)

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