1. Shooting an Elephant
By George Orwell

2. Diction “Labyrinth” Denotation-maze
Connotations-confusion, only one way out, being lost, feeling stuck, being presented with choices, every choice looks like a dead end
Connections-This connects to the theme of the essay because Orwell seemed to be stuck, and due to his inner monologue he also seemed confused at times. Therefore, it makes sense that he felt that shooting the elephant was the only choice because he was lost in the moment.

3. Detail “probably spit betel juice over her dress”
Denotations: hypothetical image
Connotations: Disgust, disrespect, red and stained, beauty
Connections: This highlights the sentiment that Orwell felt from the people; even if he was beautiful and frail, the people would have treated him with disgust, disrespect, and contempt.

4. Imagery “red velvet” “pale pink throat”
Denotations: color associated with the animal
Connotations: smooth, thick, royalty, sickness, innocence, breath and life
Connections: Orwell chooses to discuss the elephant’s death and often makes it gruesome and difficult to read. These are some of the only positive images and they bring majestic feeling for the beast. It is tough to see something so innocent meet this untimely end and it could symbolize the fact that the breath and life of the Burmese community is being taken from it as well.

5. Syntax “powerless to move, yet powerless to die”
Denotation: seems like it would be contradictory
Connotation: people in a retirement stage, euthanasia, being a soldier, robots, dead batteries, despair and despondency
Connections: This is a powerful moment in the text because Orwell also felt powerless in his role despite the fact that he was the one with the power as a member of military police. He felt a similar despair and despondency in the moment and wanted nothing more than out of the moment much like the elephant did after it was shot.

6. Theme
The power of a crowd can make one feel lost, and can even make one destroy something magnificent.