Question

I have another question about "Shooting the Elephant"

The question is : What does "shooting an elephant" gain from being written years after the events it recounts?

Is one possibility that it gave Orwell time to reflect upon his experiences?

Are there any other possibilities?

Answer 1

Definitely -- to give him time to reflect on his experiences.

But be sure to read this biography of Orwell (pen name):
http://www.george-orwell.org/l_biography.html
His personal and political attitudes had developed by the time he wrote about this event in his earlier life. Be sure you're clear on the "lens" through which he saw things by the time he wrote this account.

Answer 2

Also, Orwell was coming to hate imperialism, seeing the destruction it evoked on the poor. When he wrote the essay, he was down and out, homeless often, and certainly bitter towards oppression. These events let him recall his earlier days in a stronger light.

Answer 3

Thank-you. That makes it clearer to me. Can you also help me find some example of the English (instead of American) use of language in the essay. Ms. Sue helped me yesterday but I need one more example and I'm not familiar with the British use of words.

Answer 4

How about the way Orwell spoke about "the Empire?"

Answer 5

is this an example?

" there was a metalled road and beyond that a miry waste of paddy fields...not yet ploughed but soggy from the first rains and dotted with coarse grass"

Answer 6

Yes, Americans do not use "metalled to describe roads.