George Orwell's Novel Burmese Days

George Orwell expresses an entirely negative view of imperialism as he portrays it in his novel Burmese Days. The characters of U Po Kyin, Dr. Veraswami, and Ellis in differing ways demonstrate the damage done to individual lives and human relationships by the corrupting influences of British imperialism in Burma.

No character in this novel is immune from the destructive effects of imperialism. So negative is the portrayal by Orwell of imperialism, in fact, that it can be seen as a novel without hope in terms of altering the imperialistic structure of the British rule in Burma. No character---British or Burmese---appears to be capable of escaping the destructive trap of imperialism. Neither is any character truly sympathetic.

The ugliness of imperialism is so pervasive that it affects the soul of every individual who lives under its dehumanizing cloud. Although this study focuses on three male characters and will show their role in portraying the author's negative view of imperialism, it can be argued that the female characters are even more corrupted. The end of the book, for example, shows Elizabeth to be cold-blooded manipulator who believes that "Nature" has created her to rule over the inferior Burmese:

Her servants live in terror of her, though she speaks no Burmese. She has an exhaustive knowledge of the Civil List, gives charming little dinner-parties and knows how to put wives of subordinate officials in their places---in short, she fills with complete success

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ht. For example, he certainly gives short shrift to the important role which the Buddhist religion plays in the lives of the Burmese. His references to Buddhism---as in his early discussion of U Po Kyin's cold intent to finagle a good future life (7)---are cartoonist and mocking. This authorial neglect indicates a failure of Orwell to appreciate the Burmese, so intent is he on showing the negative aspects of imperialism on both Burmese and British. U Po Kyin is a thoroughgoing villain out for his own gain. At the same time, his machinations have negative and destructive effects on the lives of the British, showing again that all involved are victims of the overwhelming corruption and dehumanization of imperialism. U Po Kyin not only corrupts himself, he also adds to the poisoning of his entire culture. Thus we see imperialism as a culture in and of itself, a culture which takes over the culture of the nation in which it is implemented. U Po Kyin is thoroughly corrupt, and everybody knows it, but so completely is the entire society corrupted that he appears to be beyond exposure: The attempts to expose him invariably failed; his supporters, kept loyal by their share of the loot, were too numerous. When any accusation was brought

Category: Literature - G