Wide spectrums of attitudes arise when comparing and contrasting the writings of Gandhi and George Orwell. The oppressive British system of government in India provides the motive for Gandhi’s “Defending Nonviolent Resistance†speech. George Orwell conveys peevishness of the same system–the British government by the shooting of an elephant and the repercussions of the event. The overall attitude in Orwell’s Shooting an Elephant leans toward resentment of both government and murder, while the overall attitude in Gandhi’s Defending Nonviolent Resistance inclines toward the uprising of government and nonviolent protest. Both writers share attitudes, however both writers convey opposing attitudes towards their government. Mohandas Gandhi emphasizes the use of non-violence in his speech and employs the principle of “spiritual leadership…to achieve political goals through non-violent resistance.â€(Gandhi 975) Gandhi’s essay accents the need for Indian freedom. Gandhi’s attitude stressed for the British system of government to change.
