The document discusses the short story "Shooting an Elephant" by George Orwell. It provides background context that the story takes place in Burma under British colonial rule in the mid-1800s to 1940s. The British control over Burma was oppressive to the native peoples. The essay then explains that Orwell, who served in the British forces in Burma, came to disagree with British imperialism. He believed it not only harmed colonized peoples but also the colonizers themselves.

1. Post-Colonialism
“Shooting and Elephant”
by George Orwell

2. Prior Knowledge
 What do you know about colonialism or imperialism from
previous history classes?
 Share a few ideas with your neighbor and be prepared to
discuss them with the class.

3. Background Information
 “Shooting an Elephant” takes place in Burma (aka
Myanmar)
 Britain started controlling the area in the mid 1800s and
didn’t give up total control until the 1940s
 British rule over the area was oppressive and subjugated
the native Indian peoples- the natives started to have a
very anti-British/European perspective because of the ay
they were being treated

4. The Essay
 Orwell worked in the British forces in Burma and realized
that he very much disagreed with the way the British were
running things
 He believed that imperialism and colonialism were not
only hurtful to the peoples of colonized areas but ALSO to
the colonizers themselves
 He said, "I had already made up my mind that imperialism
was an evil thing... I was all for the Burmese and all against
their oppressors, the British."