Burmese+Days

CHRISTIAN THOMAS VINKO MUSTAPIC ALISHA MARTINEZ LORENA CAMACHO Burmese Days by George Orwell



Welcome to the Burmese Days page. Here you will find basic FAQ's towards Burmese Days, as well as information on Myanmar. After reading through the information we give you, you will see first hand what it is like to be a peasant in Burma, when you try to survive in our interactive game - __Rags to Riches__.

FAQ's - Vocabulary information

The word impartiality means not partial or biased, unprejudiced. The word levied means to confiscate property The word punitive means inflicting or aiming to inflict punishments The word dacoits refers to a member of a robber band or gang in India or Myanmar (Burma) The word invariably means not changing or subject to change; constant The word lakhs means a great number of rupees Rupee’s are currency

Things to think about: Why did George Orwell choose to have his love story told in Burma? A story that was dedicated to Flory and Elizabeth seemed to be overshadowed by the underlying themes of Racism and Uprising.

Why did U Po Kyin confiscate a ceaseless toll?

Why didn’t U Po Kyin’s officials know he was a conspirator in large sized robberies?

Why was U Po Kyin practically invulnerable?

Character Descriptions - He falls for Elizabeth, the very conventional and beautiful niece of an important English official, but loses her twice thanks to Ma Hla May and Elizabeth's aunt. He commits suicide after he loses Elizabeth for the second time. (Characters from Wikipedia)
 * John (in some editions, James) Flory**: The main character and member of the European Club. He has a large, dark blue birthmark on his face that he attempts to hide from everyone he meets. He is good friends with the Indian Dr Veraswami, and in general is appreciative of Burmese culture, which brings him into conflict with members of the club, who already dislike his slightly radical views. He is targeted by U Po Kyin, but does not realize it.
 * Elizabeth Lackersteen**: An unmarried woman from England who has spent much time in Paris, which she hated, being stuck there in poverty with her flighty mother, who fancied herself an artist. Flory saves her when she thinks she is being attacked by a small water buffalo. She loves hunting and killing animals. She becomes interested in Flory but soon begins to distance herself after rumors of Flory having relations with a native woman surface. Also, she dislikes those she labels "highbrows," and Flory, in her opinion, is such. She is eager to be married and leave the home of her uncle, as he has repeatedly tried (without success) to rape her. After leaving Flory for the first time she courts Verrall, who leaves abruptly without saying goodbye. After leaving Flory the second time (and following his suicide), she marries an older club member named MacGregor.
 * Mr. and Mrs. Lackersteen**: The uncle and aunt of Elizabeth. Mr. Lackersteen is a lecherous drunkard whose only object in life is to have " good time", which he manages when his wife is not "watching like a cat over a mouse-hole". Mr. Lackersteen goes so far as to make repeated sexual advances towards his own niece (Elizabeth). Mrs. Lackersteen is an imaginative woman who plays the part of the memsahib and like most has not taken to the alien country or its culture.
 * Dr. Veraswami**: An Indian doctor and a friend of Flory's. Though he is an Indian, he has nothing but respect for the English colonists and often refers to his own kind as being lesser humans than the English. Veraswami and Flory often discuss various topics, with Veraswami siding with the English and Flory taking the stance of defending the natives. Targeted by U Po Kyin for a place in the club. Fights to stop riots caused by U Po Kyin. Loses his place of influence when his representative, Flory, dies. Goes to work in another run-down hospital.
 * U Po Kyin**: A vicious and cunning magistrate who carries out vendettas against Flory and Veraswami. He causes a riot, but is beaten by Flory, who suppresses it. Kyin becomes a member of the European Club when Flory dies. He feels he can commit whatever wicked acts he wants, because later he will finance the building of pagodas, which will expiate his sins. Ultimately, he dies in sin, before the building of the pagodas.
 * Ma Hla May**: Flory's Burmese mistress. Constantly asks him for money after he throws her out in favour of Elizabeth. Thanks to U Po Kyin she breaks up Flory and Elizabeth by creating an horrific scene in front of the Europeans, then goes to work in a brothel elsewhere.
 * Ko S'la**: Flory's servant. Though he serves Flory well, he does not approve of many of his activities. He strongly opposes Flory's relationship with Ma Hla May and further protests when Flory hurts himself in a sporting accident.
 * Verrall**: An obnoxious cad and military policeman who despises all except exceptional polo players. Ultimately leaves Elizabeth without a goodbye.
 * Ellis**: A racist member of the club. He is happy starting scandals and dislikes Flory because he is friends with natives.

A Brief History and Economical overview of Burma:

Now that you have an Idea of life in Burma, here is a game where you try to achieve riches by reading through your biography, then make life altering decisions that will either have you Rise into wealth and power, or languish in poverty, or worse.

Rags to Riches