Greasy Lake and Shooting an Elephant

            What is free will? What does it mean to be given the ultimate option of choice? Through out our lives we are faced with many problems and situations, whether it may be big or small, in which we are given the freedom of choice. But how do we really know that the choice we may, or may not make is the right one? How do we even know when we end up making the choice, if it's the right choice or the wrong one. A great man by the name of "Martin Luther King" once said, "This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." It is in those rights of life, liberties and pursuit of happiness in which governs our values and morals to know when that right choice has been made. When it comes to the behaviour of the narrator of "Shooting the elephant" his actions are understandable and possibly forgivable; the same cannot be said for the narrator of "Greasy Lake.".
             In the story, "Shooting the Elephant" the narrator was put in a situation where he was under immense pressure and was forced ultimately to make a decision whether to shoot the elephant or not. Orwell is stuck in a situation where he questions himself and his motives, and tries to come to a conclusion on what the best decision may be. What really counts about this narrator is he demonstrates that he has what most humans do, and that is a conscious. Through out the story Orwell gives us a strong impression that he does have strong morals and values, which are in question at the time. It's as if he is battling with himself, in his mind to determine what the right choice would be. But Orwell felt trapped and back into a corner and this may have had an impact on his decision. "The crowd grew very still, and a deep, low, happy sigh, as if people who see the curtain go up at last, breathed from innumerable throats. They were going to have their bit of fun after all.