Comparison and Contrast
Introduction
The story portrays how the British Empire had affected the Indians leaving in their own country. The story mainly focuses on a particular incident in time where a domesticated elephant broke its chains and went on a killing rampage in town and how this particular elephant was put to rest.
In the story of how a weasel lives we are taken through the basic instinct of the animal and how it survives. It also gives the interaction of the writer with the weasel and being able to see it in its true nature. He later relates to the nature of the freedom of the weasel to that of humans. He comparers how the weasel lives by pure instinct only submissive to its basic need whereas we human are directed by other motivates such as luxury and other wants but not mainly needs. He concludes by saying we should seize all the opportunities that avail themselves to us just like the weasel.
Thesis
To find similarities and differences between the two stories and identify their relevance to our daily lives.
Comparison
The need to survive –the British officer worked to earn a salary. This was his livelihood a means to an end. Even though he hated it as a job he had to do it. This is shown in the second paragraph second line. As for the weasel he came out of his “home” only to hunt. We are told that he can leave his hole f two days without coming out but when he comes out he kills more than he can. It is also reflected when the Indians did not take notice of the British officer but when they see the opportunity to get food they do what they need. This is illustrated as “They were watching me as they would watch a conjurer about to perform a trick. They did not like me, but with the magical rifle in my hands I was momentarily worth watching”
Obedient to a higher power – for the weasel we are told that he bites at the neck and does not let go. This is shown in the first paragraph of the story. For the British officer he has to obey his higher ranking officers or do things that comply with them “…I had had to think out my problems in the utter silence that is imposed on every Englishman in the East”. This means his opinions were not valued by his superiors but rather how he did his work.
Contrast
Freedom – the weasel was only subjected to the need of food but this was different for the British officer. He had to answer to his superiors or make decision that was acceptable to them and the empire. This is shown towards the end of the story when they were reviewing the reason for him shooting the elephant. “. Besides, legally I had done the right thing” this statement means that there were consequences to one’s decisions if they do not conform to the rest. As for the weasel it was all up to him whether to go out and hunt or if the meat was warm or not it was his decision to make.
Motive – for the white man he wanted to dominate others. “…gave me a better glimpse than I had had before of the real nature of imperialism—the real motives for which repressive governments act”. This statement means that they did not really want to bring development to the Indians but rather to show imperialism or might. As for the weasel it is said he “…lives in basic instinct…” as illustrated in the story of the weasel. It does not have any bills or other things to do other than live a day at a time.
As I conclude it would be wonderful to live by pure instinct without other burdens or bills were we could match our right step with our hand movement but this is not the case. It is also not the same where we oppress others just because they we can and they are too afraid to say anything. This happens mainly where we are afraid of our employer and terrified. In reality we should have goal and stretch to achieve them.
The thesis of this essay was achieved as illustrated above in the conclusion.
Cite Works
Dillard, A. Living like Weasels. 30, May 2005.viwed 28 Feb 2011
< http://www.sheftman.com/ewrt1a/dillard/weasel.html >
Orwel, George, Shooting an Elephant. 1936
