Shooting an Elephant

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. Create a list of impacts British Imperialism had on their colonies’ economies, cultures, and politics.

Teaching Suggestion: If your students are unfamiliar with British Imperialism, consider dividing students into small groups of 3. Each member of the group will complete a quick search about their specific topic—British Imperialism’s impact on economies, cultures, or politics. After their quick search, students can share what they have learned about their topic with their small group. Students might benefit from sharing their insights in a whole class discussion, as this will offer them a sense of how widespread British Imperialism was and how great its impact was on its colonies. Student input may create the opportunity to introduce the connected themes of Imperialism and Power.

• “Imperialism: Crash Course World History #35” provides a quick summation of European Imperialism in the 19th century.
• “Myanmar: The Impact of Colonialism” from Britannica Encyclopedia details the initial impact of British colonization on religious, political, and economic structures in Myanmar.

2. Traditionally, the personal essay serves to point to a lesson learned through the author’s recounting of a life experience. Make a prediction regarding the lesson or lessons Orwell might have learned by shooting an elephant.

Teaching Suggestion: Consider pointing out to students that because Orwell wrote an essay-length piece of writing about the experiences that led up to the event and the event itself, it must have had a significant impact on him. Because it is a personal narrative, the essay is likely to explore his thoughts and feelings about the events. Students might benefit from taking a reader-response approach and considering what they might think and feel had they been the one to shoot an elephant. In small group discussion, students might discuss the psychological, emotional, and physical impacts such a violent act might elicit. 

• Personal Narrative Writing Guide from Literacy Ideas for Teachers and Students provides information about personal narrative essays and their defining features.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

Think of an experience in your life that impacted you to such an extent that you still frequently reflect on it today. What was that experience? What lesson or lessons did you learn from the experience that have influenced the way you live today?

Teaching Suggestion: With this prompt, students reflect on a single experience that offers a lesson or lessons that has/have influenced the way they live. If you would prefer for students to avoid sexuality, drug use, abuse, and other sensitive topics, it might be helpful to establish guidelines in advance for answering this prompt. This prompt can serve as a springboard for discussions regarding stylistic choices authors make in personal narratives that they might otherwise avoid in more academic writing.