What Is the Tone of Shooting an Elephant?

Author Alan Bianco

Posted Aug 15, 2022

Reads 127

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The tone of "Shooting an Elephant" is both sad and ironic. The narrator, a British colonial administrator in Burma, is forced to shoot an elephant that has gone mad and killed a man. He does not want to shoot the animal, but he feels that he has no choice, as it is his duty to protect the people. The irony is that, in doing so, he must kill an innocent creature. The tone is one of regret and sorrow, mixed with a bit of humour.

What would the tone be if the essay were written from the perspective of the elephant?

If the essay were written from the perspective of the elephant, the tone would be one of strength and power. The elephant is a massive creature, and its size and strength are intimidating. It would be hard for anyone to argue with the elephant's point of view. The elephant is also a very intelligent creature, and it would be able to make its case clearly and calmly.

How does the tone make us feel about the events that occur in the essay?

In Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour," the tone makes us feel both sympathetic and slightly uneasy about the events that occur. Mrs. Mallard is a young woman who has just found out that her husband has died in a train accident. She is clearly in shock as she goes to her room and sits in front of the window. She looks out at the world around her and feels a sense of freedom and liberation, despite the fact that her husband has just died. This suggests that she was not happy in her marriage.

As she contemplates her new life, she begins to feel guilty about her feelings of happiness and relief. She tries to rationalize her emotions, telling herself that it is natural to feel this way after a death. However, she knows that she should not be feeling this way and her guilt only increases.

The tone of the story is one of sympathetic understanding for Mrs. Mallard's situation, but also a sense of unease at her emotional state. We can sympathize with her because we understand the pressures of marriage and how they can lead to unhappiness. However, her extreme reaction to her husband's death makes us wonder if she is truly grieving or if she is just happy to be rid of him.

Does the tone make the essay more or less effective?

The answer to this question is not always cut and dry. In some cases, the tone of an essay can make it more effective by adding passion or urgency to the argument. In other cases, a more detached or formal tone can make an argument more convincing by appearing objective. Ultimately, the tone that is most effective will depend on the specific essay and its purpose.

There are a few general tips that can be useful when thinking about the tone of an essay. First, it is important to be aware of the overall tone of the piece. This will help to ensure that the tone of the essay is consistent and does not shift abruptly. Second, the tone should be appropriate for the audience that the essay is aimed at. A more academic or formal tone will likely not be effective when writing for a general audience, while a more conversational or friendly tone would not be appropriate for a academic journal. Finally, the tone should support the argument that is being made in the essay. A tone that is too harsh or overly emotional can make an argument seem less credible, while a tone that is too light or dismissive can make an argument seem less important.

In the end, the best way to determine whether or not the tone makes the essay more or less effective is to experiment with different tones and see what results are achieved. Different essay topics will likely call for different tones, so it is important to be flexible and willing to try out different approaches.

How does the tone contribute to the overall style of the essay?

The tone of an essay is the overall feeling or atmosphere that the writer creates. It is the result of the writer's choices in terms of word choice and phrasing. A well-chosen tone can create a more serious or formal atmosphere, or it can make the essay sound more personal and intimate. It can also help to set the mood for the essay, and to create a particular atmosphere or feeling. The tone of an essay can be affected by the author's tone of voice, as well as by the overall tone of the work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main idea of shooting an elephant?

The main idea of “Shooting an Elephant” is to expose the conflict between the law and one’s moral conscience as this pertains to British imperialism specifically, but by extension any imperialism.

What is the thesis of shooting an elephant?

The thesis is that when a white man becomes a tyrant, it is his own freedom that he loses.

Who is the audience of shooting an elephant?

Orwell wants to persuade British people that the British Empire is a dying and evil institution, not a glorious emblem of British power and prestige. He specifically targets experts who are supposed to represent public opinion on the matter.

What is the symbolism in shooting an elephant?

Shooting an elephant may symbolize the imperialists' misguided understanding of how their own system works.

What is George Orwell's argument in shooting an elephant?

Orwell's argument in shooting an elephant is that, because imperial policing policies coerce colonial subjects and their own police officers, the empire itself is inherently coercive. He cites his own experience as a British police officer in Burma to make his case. Orwell argues that the extreme measures required to keep Rohingya Muslims in line—such as beatings and torture—show how oppressive the empire actually is.

Alan Bianco

Content Writer

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Alan Bianco is an accomplished article author and content creator with over 10 years of experience in the field. He has written extensively on a range of topics, from finance and business to technology and travel. After obtaining a degree in journalism, he pursued a career as a freelance writer, beginning his professional journey by contributing to various online magazines.

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