Who is the narrator of a hanging?

The narrator of "A Hanging," an essay by George Orwell, is an unnamed prison officer who witnesses the execution of a condemned prisoner in Burma. Through his observations, the narrator reflects on the absurdity of capital punishment and the dehumanizing nature of the act. His internal conflict and moral questioning highlight the emotional and ethical complexities surrounding the death penalty. Ultimately, the narrative serves as a critique of authoritarianism and the loss of humanity in such practices.