One way in which Orwell reveals the chasm between the ideals and realities of imperialism is through his usage of the word hate. Through his experience with a "renegade" elephant, Orwell explains why imperialism as a political system is so very flawed. Hated by the men and women who's job it was for him to protect, Orwell comes to realize just how futile Imperialism is. Orwell says, "Theoretically-and secretly, of course-I was all for the Burmese and all against their oppressors, the British,"(NR 842) Orwell is saying th

Here I was, the white man with his gun, standing in front of the unarmed native crowd-seemingly the leading actor of the piece; but in reality I was only an absurd puppet pushed too and fro by the will of those yellow faces behind. (NR 845)

From George Orwell's essay "Shooting an Elephant," it is easy to see just how flawed Imperialistic governments really are. It is nothing more than common sense to know that any attempts to take control of another country and retain the conquered's loyalty will be anything but ineffective. Here the realities differ so much from their ideals, that it is clear Imperialism fails everywhere it exists. While the idea of governing a country through imperialism might seem like an effective means for the tyrant, George Orwell has shown through "Shooting an Elephant" that it is a near impossibility.

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. (NR 845)

Certainly coming to grips with the fact that you have no control over your own life is a depressing realization. Here Orwell shows another difference from the ideals of imperialism and its grim realities. Instead of doing what he feels he should do in the situation, he must act to please the crowd. Orwell cannot consider the owner's impending loss of a perfectly good animal. He must not let his personal feeling get in the way of what the natives want. He must kill this elephant because he has no choice but to impress the people. Whether they want him to kill the elephant for entertainment or its meat, he must kill it or face being hated even more. Through this Orwell shows that in an imperialistic rule one can no longer act on what he or she believes is the right thing to do. Unfortunately, it is also another of the many consequences of such a flawed system of government. Orwell's loss of individuality once again proves that imp

Some common words found in the essay are:
Orwell Imperialism, Shooting Elephant, Europeans Orwell, Burmese Orwell's, Orwell Theoretically-and, orwell realizes, George Orwell's, decision shoot elephant, George Orwell, shoot elephant, decision shoot, shooting elephant, daily basis, ideals imperialism, imperialistic government, Imperialism Lacking, difference ideals imperialism, imperialistic rule, elephant orwell, quote orwell's,
Approximate Word count = 1357
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)