Burmese Days: an Example of Imperialism

Burmese Days An example of Imperialism Nineteenth century industrialization brought parvenuefangled riches and power to westmostern Europe, unprompted the expansion of opportunities and the building of empires in vestigial territories. Although the developed countries brought me precise modern technologies to under-developed nations, they as well brought fierce racism and European lordliness. Burmese Days by George Orwell was written in 1834 as a satirical spate of slope imperial lifespan in Burma. Orwell provides a realistic observation of the arrogance the English demonstrated towards the natives and how they justified their actions.Europeans brought m each new technologies to the countries that they imperialized. They built railroads and otherwise types of infrastructure, and they brought new technology in weaponry and manufacturing. However, it seems that their peak arrogance had the most impact on the native people. Cecil Rhoads epitomizes the attitude of all(preno minal) Europeans when he says I contend that we ar the finest carry in the argonna and that the more of the world we inhabit the better it is ( incline et al 802). Although Orwells characters in Burmese Days argon English, the attitude was non exclusive to the English.Hunt et al discusses how King Leopold of Belgium claimed the Congo role of central Africa inflicting on local Afri flowerpots precious acts of cruelty (801). The fact that the Europeans thought themselves professional to all other races seems to give them liberty to treat the native people in any manner they accept. Ellis is an example of an intense racist in Orwells work. Ellis is a member of the European Club, a conductor at the timber company, and is the most blunt and obviously racist character in the novel.He spews forth a diatribe of foul language and name concern directed towards the Burmese people at every opportunity. No one can reason with him or change his attitude, as he is completely blind to any endearing qualities of the native people. He is very resentful of Flory, the protagonist, who has an affection for the Burmese and who considers Burma his home. Although Flory has a fondness towards the Burmese people, he hitherto considers himself superior to them which is especially demonstrated through with(predicate) his interactions his Mistress, Ma Hla May.On the day he meets Elizabeth, when Ma Hla May shows up he tells her Go away this instant. If you make any trouble I will afterward take a bamboo and beat you coin bank non one of your ribs is whole (Orwell 87). It is dubitable that he would carry through with the beating, exactly the threat demonstrates his feeling of superiority. The attitudes of the English ar wrong, but perhaps understandable. They assume that because the Burmese are not educated in the same manner as the English, they are not as intelligent. Since the country is not industrialized they earn no ambition.Since they are mild mannered and do n ot fight the English (who bring forth guns), they have surrendered to their natural place in society. Since their tegument is br admit instead of white, they are not beautiful. One must question how register would change if the Europeans of the 19th century and all people up to today would choose to show and understand the cultures of others rather than hightail it judgments and make assumptions. Just as struggles betwixt the upper and lower class were born(p) from a lack of understanding for the other mans condition in the early days of industrialization, the same is legitimate for the times of imperialism.The English in Burmese Days have taken take of the area with no consideration to the absorb of the native people. They are stronger and in their own world they are smarter. The strong overshadow the weak, and the weak have no weft but to submit. One can be wantful that strong societies will learn the rewards of building others up through reading and sharing rather t han tearing others ingest through dominance and discrimination. In the end, Burmese Days is a sad story. The protagonist, arse Flory commits suicide over the loss of the cleaning lady he loves.However, the saddest part of the story is that the English never really discover the misapprehension of their superior attitude. Although these are fictional characters, it is introduce that they will go through life with their self-righteous attitudes, and will never go to bed what the Burmese can teach them. They have convinced themselves so thoroughly that their actions are justified there is no hope for change for them, but there is close up hope for us. Work Cited Hunt, Lynn et al. The Making of the West Peoples and Cultures. Boston. Bedford/St. Martins. 2007. Orwell, George. Burmese Days. New York. Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc. 1950.