COMPARISON AND CONTRAST
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.
