Often in literature, characters have to make important choices, even when the outcomes are equally unpleasant. This is called a dilemma, and many students will be able to identify with being stuck “between a rock and a hard place”, much like characters are in their various conflicts in a story. Have students analyze the dilemma the narrator encounters in “Shooting An Elephant” as they read and speculate on the potential outcomes of the narrator’s choices. Have them incorporate their findings into a storyboard like the example below.
Introduction
The narrator sees the elephant has calmed down, and no longer poses a threat, but the crowd behind him is anxious for him to do something.
Problem 1
If the narrator tries to gauge the elephant’s aggression, he could get stuck in the mud, panic, and be killed by the elephant in front of the spectators who will probably just laugh. If he walks away, he will also be seen as a fool and a coward.
Problem 2
If the narrator shoots the elephant, he will be harming the owner financially because the elephant is an important labor animal. In addition, the narrator doesn’t want to kill the animal—he feels guilty for shooting an animal for being an animal, and especially because he no longer poses a threat.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that analyzes a dilemma that a character is facing in "Shooting an Elephant".
Encourage students to work together by organizing a structured debate about the narrator’s dilemma in Shooting an Elephant. This activity boosts engagement, helps students practice critical thinking, and allows them to see multiple perspectives on difficult choices.
Divide the class into small groups and assign each group to argue for one possible choice the narrator could make. Appoint a few students as neutral judges to evaluate arguments, ensuring all students are actively involved.
Allow teams to gather evidence from the text and prepare points supporting their assigned choice. Focus on both the narrator’s feelings and the consequences to build strong, text-based arguments.
Guide the debate by setting clear rules for speaking and listening. Encourage students to respond thoughtfully to opposing viewpoints, fostering a respectful and academic atmosphere.
Lead a class discussion after the debate to reflect on what was learned. Ask students to connect the narrator’s dilemma to tough choices they might face in real life, deepening empathy and understanding.
The narrator's dilemma in 'Shooting an Elephant' centers on whether to shoot the elephant to appease the crowd or spare it because it no longer poses a threat. He struggles with the moral conflict of acting against his conscience versus succumbing to societal pressure.
To create a storyboard, students should illustrate the introduction showing the calm elephant and anxious crowd, then depict the narrator's two main choices and their consequences in separate cells labeled Problem 1 and Problem 2. This helps visualize the conflict and potential outcomes.
If the narrator shoots the elephant, he feels guilty and harms the owner financially. If he refrains, he risks being seen as weak or cowardly by the crowd and endangering himself. Both choices have negative consequences, illustrating a classic dilemma.
Analyzing this dilemma helps students understand moral conflict, peer pressure, and character motivation. It encourages empathy and critical thinking about decision-making in difficult situations.
An effective way is to have students identify the dilemma, discuss possible choices and consequences, and then create a visual storyboard. This interactive approach deepens understanding and engagement with the text.