NAME______DATE______

“SHOOTING AN ELEPHANT” ACTIVITY

Chunk 1, Paragraphs 1–2:

• The first two paragraphs establish the mood and provide a context for the upcoming event. What can the reader infer about the narrator based on his commentary so far?

• How do the people of Burma receive the narrator? Explain.

• Identify the positive images and the negative images in the two paragraphs. How does Orwell use

diction and imagery to create a contrast between the people of Burma and the narrator?

DICTION / IMAGERY
BURMA
NARRATOR

Chunk 2, Paragraphs 3–4:

• Paragraph 3 begins with an event, or incident. How does this “tiny incident” enlighten the narrator about the “real power of imperialism?”

• How does Orwell’s use of vivid detail set the event up for the reader?

Chunk 3, Paragraphs 5–6:

Identify the narrator’s feelings and thoughts in response to the event.

Discuss the cultural conflict the narrator presents.

Consider the details Orwell includes to reveal conflict and character and their significance to the work as a whole.

Chunk 4, Paragraph 7:

Define and identify the situational irony of the narrator.

Identify significant examples of the narrator’s reflection on the events and discuss their significance to the work as a whole.

Chunk 5, Paragraphs 8–9:

Generate levels of questions to discuss the narrator’s response and reflection in this passage.

LITERAL

INTERPRETIVE

UNIVERSAL

Discuss the position of the narrator regarding the shooting of the elephant and what that action suggests about the nature of power in relationship to imperialism.

Chunk 6, Paragraphs 10–12:

Reread paragraph 12, mark the text for details of the elephant’s collapse.

Discuss what these details reveal about the writer’s attitude toward life.

Chunk 7, Paragraphs 13–14:

• What is the narrator’s initial response to the killing of the elephant?

• What are the narrator’s thoughts after he has had time to reflect, to contemplate or think seriously, on the killing of the elephant?

• How would you state the theme of this essay? How does the last sentence of the essay support your assertion of the theme?