Like the elephant, the empire is dominant. The elephant, a huge being in the animal kingdom, represents the British Empire in its grandeur. The size represents power as the two are assumed to be irrepressible. Furthermore, the elephant and the British Empire both share horror in the effect it causes in Burma. To create a comparison between the elephant and the empire, the author describes the elephant as wild and terrifying when “the elephant was ravaging the bazaar” (324); therefore, it symbolizes that the British Empire is holding back the economy of the Burmese. When the elephant kills the Indian worker, it represents the English oppressing the Burmese. On the other hand, the elephant is a symbol of colonialism. Like the natives of Burma who were colonized and who abuse Orwell, the elephant has destructive behavior by being provoked and oppressed “he had been chained” (324). While his aggressive behavior and the Burmese's more cunning rebellion might undeniably be a good thing, they are doing the best they can given the oppressive conditions both the Burmese and the elephant must endure. Furthermore, the elephant symbolizes the economy of the oppressor, as well as that of the oppressed. This animal is a “working elephant” (326) in Burma and for the colonial power. Burmese are also working animals because they are hard workers and unwittingly follow the rules of the British Empire.