George Orwell: Essays
Orwell's recollectionof shooting the elephant is shaped to support a specific point. Where does Orwell state this point?
shooting an elephant
shooting an elephant
I believe Orwell's thesis comes in the very last line, as it clearly cites his reasons for killing the elephant. Legalities, politics, power, all of these had no part in his shooting the elephant. It all came down to what a man will do to save his pride.
I often wondered whether any of the others grasped that I had done it solely to avoid looking a fool.
Shooting an Elephant