Moral Conflict and Conscience in George Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant"

The entire short story "Shooting an Elephant" by George Orwell is essentially about moral conflict and conscience, but there are specific parts that highlight this theme more promotional.One key section is when the narrator, a British police officer in colonial Burma,describes his internal struggle regarding the elephant incident. Here's an excerpt that illustrates this moral conflict:

"I was only an absurd puppet pushed to and fro by the will of those yellow faces behind.

I perceived in this moment that when the white man turns tyrant it is his own freedom

that he destroys. He becomes a sort of hollow, posing dummy, the conventionalized

figure of a sahib. For it is the condition of his rule that he shall spend his life in trying

to impress the "natives," and so in every crisis he has got to do what the "natives" expect

of him. He wears a mask, and his face grows to fit it. I had got to shoot the elephant."

Here, the narrator grapples with the expectations placed upon him as a symbol of British

authority. He feels compelled to act in a way that he knows is wrong, to shoot the

elephant, due to the pressure from the local crowd and the need to maintain the image

of imperial power. This conflict between his personal moral compass and the demands

of his role as a colonial officer is central to the story.

Another significant passage is when he finally shoots the elephant:

In this passage, the narrator realizes the weight of the expectations placed on him by

the crowd. He knows that not shooting the elephant would make him look weak in front

of the locals who expect him to act decisively. This pressure from the crowd, along with

his own internal struggle, highlights the moral conflict and the erosion of his conscience

as he ultimately gives in to societal expectations and shoots the elephant.

These moments in the story depict the narrator's inner turmoil, his awareness of the

moral implications of his actions, and the conflict between his personal beliefs and the demands of imperialism.

In George orwell short story "Shooting an Elephant," the themes of moral conflict and
conscience are central to the narrative. Here's an explanation of these themes in the
context of the story:
Moral Conflict:
Orwell's moral conflict arises from his role as a police officer in colonial Burma, where
he is tasked with maintaining order and upholding British authority. However, he
personally disagrees with imperialism and the oppressive nature of the British Empire.
This conflict is evident in several ways:
1. Anti-Imperialist Sentiments: Orwell expresses his disdain for imperialism and his
sympathy for the Burmese people who are oppressed by the British. He describes his
support for the Burmese and his hatred for the empire he serves.
2. Empire's Dirty Work: As a police officer, Orwell witnesses the injustices and brutality
of the colonial system. He describes the "dirty work of Empire" such as imprisoning
and mistreating locals, which weighs heavily on his conscience.
3. Pressure to Conform: Despite his personal beliefs, Orwell feels pressured to act in
ways that align with his role as an imperial officer. He feels trapped between his inner
convictions and the expectations placed on him by the colonial system.
Conscience:
Orwell's conscience plays a significant role in the story, driving much of his internal
conflict and eventual actions:
1. Empathy for the Burmese: Orwell's conscience is troubled by the suffering of the
Burmese people under British rule. He feels a sense of guilt and empathy for their
plight, which conflicts with his position as an agent of the oppressive regime.
2. Moral Responsibility: When faced with the situation of the rampaging elephant,
Orwell feels a moral responsibility to act. He is disturbed by the elephant's killing of an
Indian man and feels compelled to do something, despite his doubts about the
effectiveness of his actions.
3. The Elephant as Symbol: The elephant in the story serves as a metaphor for
imperialism itself. Orwell's decision to shoot the elephant reflects his internal struggle
between his conscience and the pressures of his role. He ultimately shoots the elephant
not out of necessity, but because of the expectations placed on him by the watching
crowd.