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Shooting on Elephant by George Orwell is very distinctive from other essays that I have read. His style is unique that he uses first person to narrate the story, which gives a friendly tone to whole essay. Indeed, with his friendly tone in his passage, I do not feel too “grand” or “serious” on the story, which makes me to enjoy the story easier at the beginning.  In addition, the climate that he creates in the story does not contain any dialogue. Another point that Shooting on Elephant is distinctive is that the story always contrasts against the feelings and actions between the narrator and the crowd. This gives an additional function to the story that I can really feel the “folk” pressure from the crowd with Orwell descriptive wordings on their facial expression.

“It seemed dreadful to see the great beast lying there, powerless to move and yet powerless to die, and not even to be able to finish him.” This quote is one of the most striking parts in the story that makes me feel uncommon and frustrated. It creates a sense of helplessness that I feel deeply remorseful for the elephant. It reminds me about the people of “mercy killing.” Another scene in the story that strikes me a lot is also in the end. “I heard later that it took him half an hour to die.” It makes me feel bad for the elephant.