Kincaid vs. Orwell (revised)

“On Seeing England for the First Time” (Jamaica Kincaid) and “Shooting an Elephant” (George Orwell) are both centered around the negative effects of British Imperialism. To support their thesis the two authors use similar techniques, but differ in some ways; similarities are: type of informational source, use of anecdote; differences are: point of view, subtle versus abrupt in stating their emotions and feelings on the subject.

            Both essays are a primary source. Kincaid and Orwell were both at the scene of what they were writing about. This affects how emotionally invested they are in their pieces. Kincaid, as a young girl, was raised in Antigua, the setting of her essay. She was taught to revere the British Empire, but as she grew up and traveled she realized that her and her neighbors were actually getting brainwashed. The point of view differs slightly, though, Kincaid was one of the oppressed whereas Orwell was a part of the oppressors. He was sent to Burma by the British Empire during the first years of colonization to suppress the Burmese people. He not only critiques the British Government, but also the Burmese people. This allows the reader to make their own decision about his thesis rather than have an author’s bias affect their opinion.

            Kincaid and Orwell use anecdotes to back up their main thesis. The anecdotes not only support their thesis, but also appeal to pathos as they are both personal moving stories. Kincaid’s story is more direct and denotative, outright condemning the British empire for sticking their noses where they did not belong. “They wore it well and they wore it everywhere…in places where they were not welcome, in places they should not have been.” The British Empire masked the Antiguan culture with their own; Kincaid wrote, “I had long ago been conquered”. Looking back on her childhood life Kincaid realizes that the British Empire had suppressed her culture. “I did not know then that this statement was part of a process that would result in my erasure”. The shooting of the elephant, however, is more subtle, and connotative in its anecdote.  On the surface “Shooting an Elephant” is simply a moving story of how one man was peer pressured into shooting a magnificent beast. The connotative meaning of the story, however, is the elephant represents the British Empire; it’s rampage is the stirring of chaos in the Indian’s society. Orwell realizes the destruction that the Elephant has done to the community, as well as Britain’s destruction, and if they were to simply maintain distance and not bother each other there would be no reason for harm.

The timing on these essays are different, affecting the setting that the speakers are placed in. Most of the Caribbean was conquered by the English in the 1600s. By the time that Kincaid comes around (1950’s) Antigua has already been under British rule for centuries. “On Seeing England for the First Time” is written after the people of Antigua have already assimilated into the English culture. “Shooting an Elephant”, however, was written during the first years of British presence. The Burmese people were still rebelling and giving the British a harsh time.