Shooting an Elephant is an essay written by British author George Orwell, first published in the magazine New Writing in 1936 The essay focuses on the life of an unnamed British police officer in 1930s Burma, and how he struggles with the conflict between emotions and his sense of duty.
The essay is largely symbolic, and it serves to illustrate how oppressive regimes can leave citizens feeling constrained, confused and demoralized. By examining this single incident, Orwell is able to discuss the larger issues of power, authority, and imperialism.
The five best examples of this topic are as follows:
1. Colin Kaepernick's Protest: Colin Kaepernick, an NFL quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, kneeled during the national anthem to protest social injustice and police brutality. The largely symbolic gesture showed courage in the face of oppression and led to a larger conversation about systematic inequality.
2. Martin Luther King Jr.'s ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech: In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a powerful speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. that called for racial justice and equality. The speech, often known as the “I Have a Dream” speech, is symbolic of the civil rights movement and served as an example of peaceful resistance in the face of oppression.
3. Mahatma Gandhi’s Non-Violent Resistance: Mahatma Gandhi led India to independence from British rule through a non-violent campaign. He didn’t succumb to the pressures of an oppressive regime and instead fought for justice through peaceful means.
4. The Women’s Suffrage Movement: Women in the United States and across the world used symbols like the right to vote and demonstrations to fight for gender equality. The movement used these symbols to push for change in the face of an oppressive regime and a patriarchal society.
5. The Monty Python’s Life of Brian: Monty Python released the movie, Life of Brian, in 1979 to satirically comment on the oppressive Roman rule in Judea. The movie featured a character named Brian who defied the oppressive regime and embraced a life of freedom, despite what society demanded of him.