The narrator is himself a symbol for white men in Burma in that time period. The gun symbolizes power, or even loss of power in the end. The Burmese people represent peer pressure. The elephant after its rampage represents a sort of innosence. With the gun in hand he has the power to kill the elephant or let it live. It was no longer causing an uproar and looked at peace. But seeing the crowd of yellow faces looking at him and expecting him to shoot it, he felt the need to. Even after beeing so poorly treated by those he was suppose to protect he works as their puppet. Following their wishes and destroying a beast that is no only not bothering anyone, is also worth a lot of money... i'm sure there is more but I am only just learning this as well. Hope there are more entries!
