Blog Post #2: Topic #1

            Although “A Rose for Emily” and “Shooting an Elephant” were written about two different places and cultures, they both criticize the racism and injustices within their societies. William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” is set in the Post-Civil War Mississippi and depicts the lingering racism of the South. George Orwell’s “Shooting an Elephant” is a reflection on Orwell’s time as a police officer in Burma and illustrates the prejudice of colonialism. In this essay, I will explain the power dynamic of colonialism in “Shooting an Elephant.” Then, I will describe the post-Civil War racism of Southern whites in “A Rose for Emily.” Lastly, I will compare the influences of racism in the two stories.

             In George Orwell’s “Shooting an Elephant,” he injustice and absurdity of Imperialism. This short story is based on Orwell’s experience as a police officer in colonial Burma. He describes the struggle of the English to control and satisfy the Burmese. Although he worked for the British power, he explains, “I was all for the Burmese and all against their oppressors, the British.” (Orwell). He is against colonialism and the British control over Burma, but he also is one of the oppressors, working as a police officer in Burma. Even though the British government is in control of Burma, the Burmese people refuse to give them power. The Burmese think the British are foolish in their attempts to control and govern them. “Shooting an Elephant” is a story about an English policeman and his attempt to impress the Burmese people. Orwell analyzes the story, saying, “The white man turns tyrant it is his own freedom that he destroys.” Imperialism has a negative outcome for both the Burmese and the oppressors, the British.

In “A Rose for Emily,” Faulkner portrays the mindset of a Southern society after the Civil War. William Faulkner was born in New Albany, Mississippi during the late 1890s. He grew up in a Southern community as it recovered from the loss of the Civil War. It illustrates the slow and painful decay of the southern lifestyle. The South could not accept the evils of slavery and their lifestyle’s dependence on it. They refused to move on from their old ideals or ways of life. In “A Rose for Emily,” Faulkner is writing about his life and thoughts on the South after the war.

Emily Grierson represents the old or pre-Civil War Southern way of life. Emily “passed from generation to generation” and as life was evolving around her, she remained firm in her beliefs.  Even though the people in the town want to progress, they still cherish their old lifestyle, “Miss Emily had been a tradition, a duty, and a care.” (Faulkner). The town makes excuses for and gives special treatment for Emily. Because they want to preserve their way of life, they give power to white, aristocratic families. They delay the progress of civil rights and equality by favoring these families that remain in the past. Even though they pity her, they want to protect and savor her and the lifestyle she represents.

Both “A Rose for Emily” and “Shooting an Elephant” show the racism in their societies, but they portray them in different ways. The racism in the “A Rose for Emily” is in the background reflecting the society of the time. Although slavery was abolished, racism and inequality were still present. And even though the story was not about racism, it was still a driving factor to the storyline. “Shooting an Elephant” is a story about the racism and injustice within colonial communities. Orwell details the diversity and discrimination he experienced as a colonial police officer.

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