Burma: two perspectives

I decided to review Burmese Days having recently read The Glass palace by Amitav Ghosh. Despite the number of years that have passed between the writing of the two novels I would seriously recommend the reading of both within a short space of time of one another.

Orwell is that wonderful blend of the upper class Englishman born into the accepted norms of upper class Edwardian society only to question everything that happens to him and arrive at a uniquely individual perspective on life. Burmese Days is based on his experiences as a colonial policeman in Burma just after World War One.

The novel centres around the life and death of a central character, John Flory, who is part of the British establishment of a town in Upper Burma but who has educated himself to the point of despising the British Raj. The novel centres around the arrogance of the eight English people who live in the town towards the population that they believe that they have come to 'civilise'. The touching faith each character has in his or her own superiority is at the same time laughable and deeply disturbing. The scenes in the British 'club' make one question a number of values, particularly those in my circumstances as an ex-patriot Briton living in the Middle East. The respect in which Mr. Lackersteen, a boorish man who later attempts to rape his own niece is held is a prime example of this.

Sucessful characterisation is at the heart of this novel. Orwell's description of the natives, their own values and culture and the somewhat enforced admiration that they have to give to the British is both humorous and affectionate.

I would not want to spoil the potential reading of this novel by giving away details of the plot. It suffices to say that Orwell does not want us to feel comfortable in reading this novel and succeeds in his aim. Even though the events described are now over seventy years old there are lessons to be learned for the modern ex-pat. Historically, I would recommend it for any reader interested in the literature of the Far East and would also recommend it as a companion to 'The Glass Palace'.