Burmese Days: Analysis of Major Characters
"Burmese Days" is a novel by George Orwell that explores colonial life in Burma through the interactions of its diverse characters. The central figure, John Flory, is a timber merchant grappling with loneliness and societal expectations in the British colonial community. Despite his prominent birthmark and a lifestyle aligned with British customs, Flory is deeply respectful of Burmese culture and forms a close friendship with Dr. Veraswami, the Indian physician. Flory’s hope for connection leads him to Elizabeth Lackersteen, a young woman seeking a husband in Burma. However, Elizabeth's superficiality and societal pressures ultimately drive her away from Flory, resulting in his tragic demise. Other significant characters include U Po Kyin, a corrupt magistrate seeking power and status; Lieutenant Verrall, who embodies a disdain for the local culture; and Ma Hla May, Flory's Burmese mistress, who faces emotional turmoil following their separation. Finally, Mr. Macgregor represents the archetype of the British colonial officer, whose character evolves after Flory's death. Through these characters, the novel critically examines themes of colonialism, identity, and cultural conflict.
Burmese Days: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: George Orwell
First published: 1934
Genre: Novel
Locale: Kyauktada, Burma
Plot: Political realism
Time: 1926
John Flory, a timber merchant stationed in the village of Kyauktada in Upper Burma. About thirty-five years old and with a face stained by a prominent birthmark, Flory seems destined to a lonely bachelorhood in the insular company of the few other British subjects of the area. Like them, he spends much of his time living the life of the “pukka sahib,” the loyal representative of British values and European styles of living. Also like them, he spends much of his spare time drinking and gossiping at the British Club. Flory is sensitive and observant, however, and, unlike most of his bigoted countrymen in Upper Burma, he has a genuine respect for eastern culture. He counts Dr. Veraswami, an Indian, as one of his closest friends and even proposes him for membership in the British Club. When Elizabeth Lackersteen arrives at the village seeking a husband, Flory hopes that he has found a soul mate. Her rejection of him precipitates his suicide.
Elizabeth Lackersteen, the orphan of a bankrupt drunkard. She has come to Burma to find a suitable husband. At twenty-two years of age, she is pretty and stylish but superficial and self-absorbed. At first, her eagerness to find a mate makes her receptive to Flory's attentions, but she distrusts his interest in native culture. Lieutenant Verrall's interest in her, coupled with rumors of Flory's Burmese mistress, makes her drop him. Heeding her aunt's warnings about the fates of obstinate women who refuse acceptable offers of marriage while in the East, Elizabeth marries Mr. Macgregor when Verrall decamps.
U Po Kyin, the subdivisional magistrate of Kyauktada. A grossly fat man of fifty-six, he has made a career of corruption as a parasite of the British. A lifelong lover of politics and power, during the novel's action his main attention is given to anonymous attacks on Dr. Veraswami and to the secret backing of a native rebellion in Thongwa Village, actions he takes to secure himself an invitation to join the British Club as its first native member. He expects to make himself look like a hero by putting down the rebellion and by discrediting his only serious rival.
Dr. Veraswami, an Indian physician, the only doctor in Kyauktada. He also superintends the jail. The small, plump black man treasures Flory's friendship and maintains a high regard for Europeans in the face of their repeated insults to his race. As a physician who treats Europeans, he is the most likely candidate for native membership in the British Club and thus has become the object of U Po Kyin's slanderous anonymous letters. Flory's death deprives him of his only European friend and defender, as well as the main source of his status. His ruin is thus accomplished, as he has foreseen all along.
Lieutenant Verrall, a polo player and military policeman. Burdened by his debts, Verrall has moved to the Indian army from a British cavalry unit because it is cheaper and less demanding of his time, which he prefers to spend on polo. He despises all things oriental and insults everyone who does not share his regard for physical fitness. His evening rides with Elizabeth become a sort of courtship. He scuttles the relationship when he leaves Kyauktada to escape his debtors.
Ma Hla May, Flory's beautiful Burmese mistress. In her early twenties, she enjoys her life as a European's mistress and the clothes and gifts it involves, even though she has little fondness for Flory. When Flory discharges her to protect his tenuous relationship with Elizabeth, her pride is hurt, and U Po Kyin easily convinces her to try to blackmail Flory.
Mr. Macgregor, the British deputy commissioner to Kyauktada and the model of the pukka sahib. Bulky, humorless, and middle aged, he has a devotion to exercise and proper behavior that stands him in sharp contrast to Flory. After Flory's death, Macgregor marries Elizabeth and becomes more humanized.