Imperialism Experiences in Burma - Essay Example

Burmese Days

Introduction

Orwell emphasizes on imperialism experiences in Burma whereby the English community display racism towards the non-English people, such as Asians and Blacks. In the novel, Europeans consider themselves superior to Asians who are deemed as uneducated Orwell 36). Majority of English officials overlook directives to admit other races in their closed clubs. Simultaneously, non-English populations have a great desire to be associated with the English club during the British colonialism. An excellent example of non-English, mainly Asians trying to express loyalty to the British is U Po Kyin (Orwell 4). Besides, Dr Veraswamin from India also desires to join the English club. It means Asians respected and enjoyed being part of British officials. The present paper focuses on an in-depth evaluation of the Burmese Days, primarily analyzing the British relationship with the locals during imperialism.

What does this book tell us about the interaction between Europeans and the people over whom they ruled in the late colonial period?

The interaction between Europeans and the colonized population was based on imperialism. The British officials were racists, and this explains why membership in the Europeans club was exclusively for white people (Orwell 14). For instance, the club members regularly held meetings while drinking to discuss the locals (Orwell 21). The club focuses on socio-political events in the region but does not involve the natives in discussions. However, the British colony undergoes political reformation leading to the membership changes in the European club. In this case, the club is expected to admit a native representative, and this seems a difficult decision since the British limit their interactions with Asians (Orwell 14). Dr Veraswami is considered as the ideal candidate to represent Asians in the European club since he is educated and intelligence (Orwell 25). U Po Kyin, one of the key figures among the natives' plots against Veraswami to the British officials (Orwell 29). His main plan is to be nominated in the club instead of Veraswami. Based on the flow events in the book, Orwell has a complicated expression towards imperialism, as the key factor guiding the interaction between Europeans and natives. First, the author emphasizes on the possible deleterious impacts of racism-based relations to both groups, British and Asians.

Although the European club is exclusively for the whites, some colonizers are hypocritical to such an arrangement. For instance, Flory portrays hypocritical attitudes of the European population colonizing Asians by having less interest in the British Empire. Flory develops a close relationship with Dr Veraswami, a native, which is a rare behavior expressed by Europeans in the region (Orwell 5). Flory has the moral courage to condemn some of the adverse effects brought by Europeans during his interaction with Veraswami. On the other hand, Veraswami supports the English officials and claims the locals are not exposed (Orwell 27).

In some occasions, Flory also hesitates to nominate his friend, Veraswami for club membership, and this means their relationship was questionable (Orwell 28). Moreover, although Flory has a Burmese mistress, he claims to have no feelings for her. All this shows Europeans focused on exploiting natives without considering the possible effects. Orwell seems to defend imperial worldview because he does not view the locals as fully-fledged beings like the Europeans. Throughout the book, Orwell appears to express a fraction for sympathy on the Europeans ill-treatment to the natives. Therefore, the Burmese Days show Europeans' interactions towards the colonized people are not favorable, and this is not likely to change because the natives also corrupt.

How do the British characters view the Asians?

The British characters are in Burma to exploit the natural resources without fear of resistance because they view Asians as inferior (Orwell 26). The British characters are aware the natives lack necessary unity to stage a rebellion to the British rule. A native-like U Po Kyin is expected to fight for the nation's independence, but instead, he focuses on personal benefits from the British ruling. Most of the British characters express negative attitudes towards the Asians and among them include Ellis and Westfield (Orwell 21). Ellis is one of the timber merchants who is mean-spirited and full of hatred to the locals. Ellis uses every opportunity to exploit Asians, and this explains the almost gets killed during the rebellion movement. Westfield, a District Commissioner, has no interest in the well being of Asians. Therefore, British characters view Asians as lesser humans; thus, they have less care towards them.

How do the Asian characters view the British?

India's geographical effect is critical in examining Asians' views and perception towards the British in many ways. The nation has substantial geographical land and rich culture, which seems to fade after the British emergence. However, despite the geographic size, Asians have not unified to fight the common enemy, British, a factor allowing natives to be conquered. The Asian characters in the book willingly submit to the British officials meaning they view them as a superior race. Orwell mentions that Asians use the term ‘pukka sahib’ to refer to the British people, and this translates to ‘master class.’ The Asians characters seem to accept their positions as subordinates of the British community, and Doctor Veraswami is a perfect example (Orwell 27). The doctor claims Asians are less civilized; hence, colonizers are highly in the land since they are promoting education. Besides, U Po Kyin always tries to impress Europeans by ruining fellow Asian’s image, Doctor Veraswami (Orwell 4). Flory gets lost in the forest and could not find the way home. However, Flory finds a Burmese farmer who is willing to drop all his duties and help him get out of the jungle (Orwell 39). Asian women are readily available for the British men for various purposes, such as acquiring a status and financial benefits (Orwell 108). All this shows Asian characters have embraced colonizers and are willing to compromise their lives for the well being of Europeans.

What do the British see as their mission or role in Burma?

The primary British mission was to exploit the natural resources from the Burmese, as Flory mentions. Achieving this target would only be possible if the colonizers marginalize the nation's core institutions, and this includes monarchy and Buddhism. British ultimate purpose is to gain full control of Burma and make wealth. For instance, Flory admits Europeans in Burma are all thieves using every opportunity to possess the available resources (Orwell 25). Although Flory knows such actions are morally wrong, he is not willing to be driven away from the nation because he also wants wealth like other Europeans. British officials use natives as servants, but they are not willing to assimilate their culture or respect them. Therefore, the British fundamental mission is based on their selfish benefits and interests in Burma.

Do all of the British characters believe in what they are supposed to be doing in Burma?

Unlike other British characters, Flory regularly questions Europeans' interest in Burma, and for this reason, he attempts to warn Doctor Veraswami about this issue (Orwell 26). As mentioned, Veraswami knows the British are selfish and thieves, while the natives are marginalized. Flory often experience loneliness as an outcome of his mixed reactions in the British mission. He has a close connection with the natives, an act disliked by the majority of Europeans. Regardless of all this, Flory continues to exploit the natives in Burma. It means that practically, all British characters believe in their mission.

What sorts of costs—psychological, political, etc.—resulted from imperialism (both for the British and the locals)?

British imperialism centered on all forms of exploitation, leading to adverse impacts among Burma people both politically and psychologically. The British colonial situation was a psychological goal blockage to Burma population through frustrations. Europeans contributed to unfulfilled aspirations in Burma, and this includes thwarting natives' old cultural values by collapsing Buddhism and introducing Christ (Orwell 145). The colonies introduced new political culture different from monarchy and this limited sustenance of the traditional Burmese values. However, change of political ruling may have remained a controversial issue to Burma people because the British introduced a military rule which resulted in democracy. In the novel, Europeans socially isolate themselves from the natives, a factor which promotes division of classes in Burma.

Based on what you have learned about imperialism from this book, was the collapse of the British (and other European) overseas empire probably inevitable?

No. Evolution was inevitable, and so was the British colonial rule in Burma because the European officials like Flory would eventually betray the European club. The empire was overstretched as a result of increasing unrest in the colonies. Also, since the exploitation of resources was the principal purpose, the increase in colonizers was likely to cause a decisive fall of the European club. Besides, the entire social and British political structure was based on corruption leading to the abuse of the Indian industries in the region and rejection of culture. Therefore, British ruling could not survive in Burma because they lacked the political clout to sustain their interests.

Conclusion

Orwell's fictional novel portrays the nature of imperialism in Burma in the 1920s, mainly on how the colonizers exploited natives in the region. Based on the interactions of the book's characters, Asians are considered as inferior, while the Europeans dominate the nation. The Asians are regarded as uneducated and less civilized. Throughout the book, British ruling results to economic, political, and social exploitation among the Burma community. Europeans are the oppressors while the Asians seem to embrace the new culture since they regularly impress the British characters. After a century of colonization, the fall of the empire was inevitable due to the growing unrest from colonies.

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Moreover, although Flory has a Burmese mistress, he claims to have no feelings for her. All this shows Europeans focused on exploiting natives without considering the possible effects. Orwell seems to defend imperial worldview because he does not view the locals as fully-fledged beings like the Europeans. Throughout the book, Orwell appears to express a fraction for sympathy on the Europeans ill-treatment to the natives. Therefore, the Burmese Days show Europeans' interactions towards the colonized people are not favorable, and this is not likely to change because the natives also corrupt.

How do the British characters view the Asians?

The British characters are in Burma to exploit the natural resources without fear of resistance because they view Asians as inferior (Orwell 26). The British characters are aware the natives lack necessary unity to stage a rebellion to the British rule. A native-like U Po Kyin is expected to fight for the nation's independence, but instead, he focuses on personal benefits from the British ruling. Most of the British characters express negative attitudes towards the Asians and among them include Ellis and Westfield (Orwell 21). Ellis is one of the timber merchants who is mean-spirited and full of hatred to the locals. Ellis uses every opportunity to exploit Asians, and this explains the almost gets killed during the rebellion movement. Westfield, a District Commissioner, has no interest in the well being of Asians. Therefore, British characters view Asians as lesser humans; thus, they have less care towards them.

How do the Asian characters view the British?

India's geographical effect is critical in examining Asians' views and perception towards the British in many ways. The nation has substantial geographical land and rich culture, which seems to fade after the British emergence. However, despite the geographic size, Asians have not unified to fight the common enemy, British, a factor allowing natives to be conquered. The Asian characters in the book willingly submit to the British officials meaning they view them as a superior race. Orwell mentions that Asians use the term ‘pukka sahib’ to refer to the British people, and this translates to ‘master class.’ The Asians characters seem to accept their positions as subordinates of the British community, and Doctor Veraswami is a perfect example (Orwell 27). The doctor claims Asians are less civilized; hence, colonizers are highly in the land since they are promoting education. Besides, U Po Kyin always tries to impress Europeans by ruining fellow Asian’s image, Doctor Veraswami (Orwell 4). Flory gets lost in the forest and could not find the way home. However, Flory finds a Burmese farmer who is willing to drop all his duties and help him get out of the jungle (Orwell 39). Asian women are readily available for the British men for various purposes, such as acquiring a status and financial benefits (Orwell 108). All this shows Asian characters have embraced colonizers and are willing to compromise their lives for the well being of Europeans.

What do the British see as their mission or role in Burma?

The primary British mission was to exploit the natural resources from the Burmese, as Flory mentions. Achieving this target would only be possible if the colonizers marginalize the nation's core institutions, and this includes monarchy and Buddhism. British ultimate purpose is to gain full control of Burma and make wealth. For instance, Flory admits Europeans in Burma are all thieves using every opportunity to possess the available resources (Orwell 25). Although Flory knows such actions are morally wrong, he is not willing to be driven away from the nation because he also wants wealth like other Europeans. British officials use natives as servants, but they are not willing to assimilate their culture or respect them. Therefore, the British fundamental mission is based on their selfish benefits and interests in Burma. Read More