One of the most interesting arguments from Orwell’s account is “when the white man turns tyrant it is his own freedom that he destroys.” This closely parallels many of the reading we have considered, especially the “As if” piece, as it highlights the duality of power in any system of subordination. On one hand, the Burmese have little political or salient influence, but on the other, Orwell and the other European officers are equally limited by the mask of authority they wear. Both the authority and the victims of this authority also seem to be in disbelief regarding the reality of the power system, yet they act in accordance with it with their public mask. The private one simply cannot believe that any of these actions are justified.
Regarding the shooting of the elephant, Orwell has the ultimate power – he can always decide to shoot the elephant or not. However, because he must play that role, the Burmese, with their contribution to the power system, are equally powerful in making him act in accordance to it. Orwell thus has no choice but to shoot the elephant.
I agree with you in your analysis of power in Orwell’s piece. Both parties (Orwell and the Burmese) have power, and both have effects when they come into contact with one another. Because Orwell is the authority in this piece, he has the most to lose, thus making him susceptible to the power that Burmese wield- the power to make him act on shooting the elephant.