What is George Orwells point he is trying to persuade across?

Question

Shooting an Elephant

What is George Orwells point he is trying to persuade across?

I have to write an essay and the question is :“How has your understanding of the way composers position their responders been shaped by your study of Blackfish and Shooting an Elephant?”

I am unsure as to what his persuasion topic is? And what persuasive techniques he is using to position the readers.

My teacher says the purpose of the text is:

To critique British imperialism by representing to a British reading public the folly and corruption of British rule in Burma.

But how is that a persuasive text if he is just informing us?

Asked by popin #1170219 on 8/28/2021 2:32 AM

Last updated by Aslan on 8/28/2021 4:18 AM

Answers 1

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Answered by Aslan on 8/28/2021 4:18 AM

I can address the story Shooting an Elephant. Orwell is able to persuade readers about the evils of imperialism through his sympathetic protagonist. Throughout the essay Orwell explicitly discusses the nature of British imperialism, specifically the way that he, as a police officer, both represents and internalizes the imperial project. He opens by revealing the brutality of British colonialism in Burma, with images of tortured prisoners, and he discusses his distaste for the empire's impact in Burma. He says that he's on the side of the "Burman," yet he also resents Burmese people for the way they perceive him. Orwell's self-consciousness as the face of British imperialism is central to his internal conflict as he tries to uphold the image of the impenetrable empire while going against his personal inclination, and killing an elephant that he doesn't want to kill.

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