From wikipedia:
""Shooting an Elephant" is an essay by George Orwell, first published in the literary magazine New Writing in late 1936 and broadcast by the BBC Home Service on 12 October 1948.
The essay describes the experience of the English narrator, possibly Orwell himself, called upon to shoot an aggressive elephant while working as a police officer in Burma. "
Note that Burma is in Asia, not Africa. You may draw on this essay in writing your colonialism paper, but you will lose points if you state or imply that Burma is in Africa. Burma, was, however, part of the British empire, like Nigeria and unlike the Congo.
As you read pay close attention to the language, imagery and heavy irony? Print out and mark up the essay or take notes so that you can discuss. You must answer these questions, but you should notice and make notes on much, much more.
How does Orwell establish ethos, pathos and logos? Point to specific examples.
Why does Orwell begin with a sentence about being hated?
Who is Orwell's audience? How does he craft his argument for them?
What is his argument? Where does he explicitly state his thesis? Highlight or write out the sentence.
What is ironic about Orwell's position as he tracks and contemplate shooting the elephant?
Why does Orwell describe the elephants death in such detail?
What is significant about the response of the younger and older English officials?
What is ironic about Orwell's response?