Elephant As A Symbol Of The Colonialism In Orwells Novel Essay - 1

Elephant As A Symbol Of The Colonialism In Orwells Novel - Essay Example The elephant was often considered as the symbol of the author’s self, or the symbol of the Burmese economy under British rule or the Burmese natives. However, I think the elephant is the symbol of the British Empire and the beginning of its decline. If we consider the elephant as the symbol of the British Empire, it is important to analyze the author’s attitude to colonialism and British rule. The author is quite a clear statement that â€Å"imperialism was an evil thing† and that he was â€Å"all for the Burmese and all against their oppressors, the British†. The author also stresses that he hated his job (which is strange, though, since it was Orwell’s decision to become a police officer) and that it caused â€Å"an intolerable sense of guilt†. However, the general tone of the abstract suggests that the author has changed his opinion. It is known, that Orwell left Burma in 1927, and the story was written ten years later – enough time to reconsider some of the impressions of youth. Thus, Orwell writes that he was â€Å"young and ill-educated† and considered his problems to be the problems of â€Å"every Englishman in the East†. Author’s statements that he â€Å"did not even know that the British Empire is dying† and that he did not know that â€Å"it is a great deal better than the younger empires that are going to supplant it† prove that Orwell was not categorical as to his opinions about the British rule. Also, it is strange that the author expressed his hatred towards, for example, â€Å"young Buddhist priests†: â€Å"the greatest joy in the world would be to drive a bayonet into a Buddhist priest’s guts†. Orwell, as the representative of administration, was aware that the so-called Young Men’s Buddhist Association (which existed in Burma and other Buddhist countries) represented the movement for independence from the British rule.