Burmese Days, a novel by George Orwell, is set in the British colony of Burma in the 1920s and explores a variety of themes including colonialism, racism, and imperialism.
One of the main themes of the novel is the damaging effects of colonialism on both the colonized and the colonizers. The British officials in Burma are depicted as arrogant and entitled, exploiting the country's resources and imposing their culture and values on the Burmese people. They are also shown to be deeply racist, viewing the Burmese as inferior and treating them with disdain and cruelty. The novel illustrates how colonialism not only oppresses and exploits the colonized, but also corrupts and degrades the colonizers.
Another theme of the novel is the corrupting influence of power. The main character, John Flory, is a British timber merchant in Burma who is torn between his desire to do good and his desire to fit in with the other colonial officials. Flory ultimately succumbs to the corrupting influence of power and becomes just as corrupt as the other officials. This theme highlights the idea that power can corrupt even those with the best intentions, and that it is important to hold oneself accountable for one's actions.
A third theme of the novel is the danger of imperialism and the importance of standing up for one's beliefs. The Burmese people are depicted as being powerless to resist the British colonization of their country, and they are forced to endure their oppression and exploitation. However, there are a few characters in the novel who do stand up against the British, including Dr. Veraswami, a Burmese doctor who is an advocate for independence, and Elizabeth Lackersteen, Flory's love interest, who is a strong-willed and independent woman who challenges the sexist and racist views of the other colonial officials. These characters serve as examples of the importance of standing up for one's beliefs and fighting against injustice.
Overall, Burmese Days is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that explores the themes of colonialism, racism, imperialism, the corrupting influence of power, and the importance of standing up for one's beliefs. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of colonialism and the need for people to resist oppression and injustice.
Burmese Days Analysis
Neither of his two native characters, however, is very critical of colonialism, and U Po Kyin's tactics, goals, and successes within the colonial system are a damning critique. In an exchange between a master and butler in the club, the detailed recount of the conversation is so disturbing that it could only have been based from a real life. He is simple-minded and dedicated to his pursuit of pleasure; as such, he is often drunk and quite lecherous, although his wife tries to keep him in check. Due to his indecisive personality he is caught between supporting the Burmese and the English. Verrall A handsome, cold, and arrogant young man sent to Kyauktada to head the Military Police. SOAS Bulletin of Burma Research. Both Flory and Dr.
Burmese Days by George Orwell (Book Analysis) » opportunities.alumdev.columbia.edu
The men in the story typify the "virtues" associated with their gender: hard-drinking, womanizing, loud and coarse, fond of outdoors pursuits, and possessing authority and autonomy. Macgregor, the secretary of the club, which posits letting natives into the club. There is a great deal of hypocrisy, vice, ignorance, and dissimulation, all of which operate on a daily basis and prop up the imperial apparatus. He shudders and tells Flory how corrupt, how bestial, how cunning U Po Kyin is and how capable he is of ruining people. Flory rescues her when she believes she is about to be attacked by a small water buffalo. This discourages him from fully advocating for the Burmese.
Burmese Days : A Novel Of Colonialism Race And Class
When Flory returns he is startled at this new development and is filled with intense envy and depression. In the end discrimination, self-acceptance, and isolation intertwine to bring the tragic ending, and righteous protest of John Flory against morality, society, and justice; his suicide. The conflict between Flory and the villain of the novel — U Po Kyin The conflict between Flory and U Po Kyin starts when they both compete for an entrance card to the European Club. Dull boozing witless porkers! The main character — John Flory John Flory is a British expatriate and the only one European who lives in Kyauktada town. While the rest of the men do not share Ellis's level of prejudice, they do possess other undesirable traits that, Orwell seems keen to point out, the imperial experience exacerbates. Although the developed countries brought many modern technologies to under-developed nations, they also brought fierce racism and European arrogance.
