Question

In paragraph 11 Orwell states, "At last, after what seemed a long time – it might have been five seconds, I dare say – he sagged flabbily to his knees." Explain what such a characterization of the time period suggests about Orwell.

Answer 1

Answer:

This characterization of the time pictures Orwell's inner conflict.

Explanation:

In paragraph 11 of "Shooting an Elephant" by George Orwell, the characterization of the five seconds as a long time pictures Orwell's inner conflict. Orwell was a British police officer in Burma who represented the British Empire. He is hated by the local people, and he inwardly hates British imperialism. He does not want to kill the elephant, but the Burmese crowd wants him to. In what seems an eternity for him, that long time-period of five seconds before the shot, he is thinking about all this.