fool. Afterwards Orwell walked away from the dying animal because he could not look at what he had just done. The only captive in this Burmese colony is the captor. The British inhabited the colony which means that they have control, yet they feel pressured to do what the Burmese want and expect."Shooting an Elephant" gives the reader an in-depth look at the decision making process based on pressures to conform and fit in. The way in which Orwell goes about making his decision is very easy for the reader to comprehend. Orwell begins by explaining his situation then goes on to talk about the event with the elephant. Towards the end of his essay he explains his circumstances and the decision he made based on those circumstances. Orwell makes decisions based on what other people think. He does this because he wants to fit in and be well liked. Orwell is in a foreign country which puts him in a position where he doesn't belong. He wants to belong! Orwell's basis for decision making is geared towards Burmese approval.Orwell's thinking, as recorded in this essay, is very similar to that of Machiavelli. Both men believe that it is better to be respected by others than to have respect for oneself. (Machiavelli,56) Machiavelli's main concern for governing the people is to keep their faith and thus in return, the people will stay under his rule. (59) This is how Orwell thinks when he decides to kill the elephant. He shoots it, not for himself but, for the Burmese people; "I often wondered whether any of the others grasped that I had done it solely to avoid looking like a fool" ( Orwell, 68) He did it to save face, he felt that he couldn't let the natives down and risk looking like a fool. (Orwell, 68) Orwell can also be compared to Socrates. This is because Orwell felt regret after killing the elephant; he knew that shooting it went against his morals. Socrates also felt regret. Socrates was imprisoned for speaking irrelevantly...
