Burmese Days Review
I. Orwell, George. Burmese Days, Harcourt Inc, 1934.
287 pp.
Patrick Morgan
The World Since 1850
Greenstein
Burmese Days Book Review
September 27, 2010
II. George Orwell, born Eric Blair was born in Motihari, Bengal, a then British territory of India in 1903. He was very scholarly from a young age and earned scholarships to preparatory schools and both Wellington and Eton colleges. After furthering his education at Eton he joined the Indian Imperial Police Force in Burma. After 5 years he grew to hate the thought of British imperialism and resigned in 1928 to return to England. It is suggested by many that Burmese Days is loosely based on his service. Orwell was from a “lower-upper middle class” family, but chose to live his own life in poverty, advocating socialism and writing for the “common man”. He is also the author of Animal Farm and 1984. George Orwell was well competent in his writings due to his life experience, he lived and was well connected to the subjects he wrote about.
III. Burmese Days centers around the life of Mr. John Flory, a European lumber merchant who is fair and respectful to the Indian culture. Throughout the novel Mr. Flory is trying to win the heart of Elizabeth Lackersteen, the niece of his employee Mr. Lackersteen but finds it rather difficult due to political games being played by U Po Kyin. U Po Kyin is a native born corrupt and greedy magistrate who tries to ruin Mr. Flory and his native friend Dr. Veraswami so that he may become the first native to become a member of an until then exclusive European Club. Dr. Veraswami is the most qualified native to join this club, however U Po Kyin’s malicious plan includes eliminating his protection through trying to discredit his powerful and respected friend John Flory. U Po Kyin’s actions cause a string of effects that lead to the destruction of the lives of Dr. Flory and Mr. Flory. He starts by sending slanderous letters about Dr. Veraswami and even Flory. He then sets
287 pp.
Patrick Morgan
The World Since 1850
Greenstein
Burmese Days Book Review
September 27, 2010
II. George Orwell, born Eric Blair was born in Motihari, Bengal, a then British territory of India in 1903. He was very scholarly from a young age and earned scholarships to preparatory schools and both Wellington and Eton colleges. After furthering his education at Eton he joined the Indian Imperial Police Force in Burma. After 5 years he grew to hate the thought of British imperialism and resigned in 1928 to return to England. It is suggested by many that Burmese Days is loosely based on his service. Orwell was from a “lower-upper middle class” family, but chose to live his own life in poverty, advocating socialism and writing for the “common man”. He is also the author of Animal Farm and 1984. George Orwell was well competent in his writings due to his life experience, he lived and was well connected to the subjects he wrote about.
III. Burmese Days centers around the life of Mr. John Flory, a European lumber merchant who is fair and respectful to the Indian culture. Throughout the novel Mr. Flory is trying to win the heart of Elizabeth Lackersteen, the niece of his employee Mr. Lackersteen but finds it rather difficult due to political games being played by U Po Kyin. U Po Kyin is a native born corrupt and greedy magistrate who tries to ruin Mr. Flory and his native friend Dr. Veraswami so that he may become the first native to become a member of an until then exclusive European Club. Dr. Veraswami is the most qualified native to join this club, however U Po Kyin’s malicious plan includes eliminating his protection through trying to discredit his powerful and respected friend John Flory. U Po Kyin’s actions cause a string of effects that lead to the destruction of the lives of Dr. Flory and Mr. Flory. He starts by sending slanderous letters about Dr. Veraswami and even Flory. He then sets