Reference no: EM133427385
Comprehension
Why is Orwell asked to "do something about" the elephant?
How does Orwell's position force him into a situation that he would rather avoid?
Why does Orwell finally decide to shoot the elephant despite its gentle appearance?
What does the situation with the elephant make Orwell realize about the British imperialist mission in Burma?
Analysis
What are several ways in which the Burmese disrespect Orwell? How does Orwell respond to this disrespect?
What do the Burmans' actions reveal about their attitude toward British rule, and what does Orwell's response show about his feelings?
What does Orwell mean when he says, "a story always sounds clear enough at a distance, but the nearer you get to the scene of the events the vaguer it becomes"? In what way does that paradoxical statement reveal a truth about life?
What reason does Orwell give for killing the elephant? Do you find his reason legitimate? Why, or why not?
Literary / Text Elements
Go over the information about moral dilemma and motivation in the "Analyze and Interpret" section (on the right side of the webpage), then answer the following questions.
What does Orwell reveal about his position in the community he serves in paragraph 1? What irony about Orwell's situation is revealed in paragraph 2?
What moral dilemma arises in the course of the narrative? What choices does Orwell face?
What underlying motivation leads Orwell to resolve the moral dilemma and take definite action? Did Orwell make the right choice? Why, or why not?
What theme emerges at the story's end? If Orwell had chosen to take a different action, would the narrative's plot have been resolved in a more satisfactory way? Why, or why not?