The narrator comments that he was hated by large numbers of people, because it was the only time in his life he was important enough to be hated; later he says that his life was one long struggle not to be laughed at, which is why he commits the title deed, "solely to avoid looking a fool."  
The action occurs in part because the mahout is twelve hours away, and in part because of the death of a cow, the destruction of a bamboo hut, and the raiding of a fruit stand. The narrator comments that he was hated by large numbers of people, because it was the only time in his life he was important enough to be hated; later he says that his life was one long struggle not to be laughed at, which is why he commits the title deed, "solely to avoid looking a fool."  For 10 points, name this essay set in Moulmein and written by George Orwell.
The action occurs in part because the mahout is twelve hours away, and in part because of the death of a cow, the destruction of a bamboo hut, and the raiding of a fruit stand.
Shooting an Elephant