Question

Compare and contrast the conflicts faced by Orwell in “Shooting an Elephant” to those faced by Gideon in “No Witchcraft for Sale.” To what unique revelation does Orwell’s position as a police officer lead him? How can Gideon’s ultimate decision not to share his knowledge be interpreted as an act of rebellion and an assertion of the dignity and worth of his culture?

Answer 1

Both characters in the story faces conflict within himself. He struggles with what he believes is right and what society wants him to do.

In "Shooting an Elephant", Orwell succumb to the expectation of the public which is to shoot the elephant dead even though it is against what he believes in.

In "No Witchcraft for Sale", Gideon deceived his employers by acting as though he complied with what his employers wanted him to do but not doing the exact thing. He left out a very important task that is crucial to his beliefs. He did not let public pressure bend his beliefs.