Shooting an Elephant (Penguin Modern Classics)
by George Orwell
|
|
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of Shooting an Elephant.
discuss this book
friend reviews (0)
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
lists with this book
This book is not in any lists. Go add it to a list.
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 369)
Read in May, 2008
recommends it for:
People who like to consider concepts that aren't normally discussed
This book was probably one of the most interesting novels I have ever read. It is not a traditional book, which is one thing I liked a lot about it. It is actually a collection of essays by George Orwell.
I have read Animal Farm, by George Orwell as well, and that was one of the most amazing books I have ever read (on an analytical level). One of my favorite essays was about Gandhi, whom is obviously a very convtroversal man. His ideals are widely debated all around the world.
One of the most...more
I have read Animal Farm, by George Orwell as well, and that was one of the most amazing books I have ever read (on an analytical level). One of my favorite essays was about Gandhi, whom is obviously a very convtroversal man. His ideals are widely debated all around the world.
One of the most...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
recommended to Emily by:
English Professor
recommends it for: George Orwell fans
recommends it for: George Orwell fans
I read this in school and even though it is not the best story, it is probably the only story that I remember out of my first level freshman english class. The language is very discriptive and vivid to the reader. Although, there isn't a great depth to the characters in the story, it is one of Orwell's lighter, funnier works, finding humor in the situations of a young Englishman in the British Colonies of India.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Cleanly and economically told story about the banal horror of colonialism from an insider. Colonialism, which in its belly destroys the ecology, the animals, and the psychological space of the people, is described with a potent metaphor. This should be read by everyone who thinks passively that they have nothing to do with occupying another country.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2003
I always had my high school students read "Shooting an Elephant" before we studied Gandhi. It is a wonderfully concise tableau of British imperialism, laying bare the insecurities, racism, and underlying impotence of the conqueror's regime. All of his essays are worthwhile, but this one is a necessity for anyone interested in history.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Orwell writes, "...when the white man turns tyrant it is his own freedom that he destroys."
This might be the point of the story. Or one of many. At any case, it makes a point about imperialism in economical language that is illustrative of our role in Iraq and our identity as an oppressor that merits a contemporary look.
This might be the point of the story. Or one of many. At any case, it makes a point about imperialism in economical language that is illustrative of our role in Iraq and our identity as an oppressor that merits a contemporary look.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2006
A staple in schools, and it is easily understandable why. Orwell takes us through various aspects of his life in England and in India. Besides the oft read title essay there are many excellent essays in this collection serving as both autobiography and socio/political exposition.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
recommends it for:
everybody who writes in the english language
This is a collection of short pieces. I've only read "Politics and the English Language" from this collection. If you haven't read this and you do any sort of writing for a living, take the rest of the day off and read it. It's changed how I write.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
A teacher my second term of college said I should drop out because of how much I liked Shooting an Elephant. In retrospect, I realize exactly how much of a commentary on her that is. Moral of the story, don't go to community college.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
This was a reading for my English class. At first (and I had to re-read it 3-4 times) I absolutely hated it! After we reviewed it in class and talked about what it really meant, I loved it! I might actually read more Orwell now.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
This is a classic story of what happens to the leaders of imperialism, even those resigned to keeping a stiff upper lip as part of their "job." Interesting and an important read for the times then and now.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
this short story is probably one of my FAVORITES! i loved it - so well written - so descriptive - so powerful!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Short story, but gets right to the heart of the theme. One could probably find this essay online with easy.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
