Burmese Days: an Example of Imperialism

Burmese Days An pattern of Imperialism Nineteenth century industrialization brought innovative riches and power to westmostern Europe, parkway the expansion of opportunities and the building of empires in undeveloped territories. Although the developed countries brought m both modern technologies to under-developed nations, they similarly brought fierce racism and European assertion. Burmese Days by George Orwell was written in 1834 as a satirical regard of side of meat imperial emotional state 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 either juvenile 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 essential arrogance had the most impact on the native people. Cecil Rhoads epitomizes the atti tude of every last(predicate) Europeans when he says I contend that we argon the finest tend in the being and that the more of the world we inhabit the better it is ( range 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 parting of central Africa inflicting on local Afri faecal matters unequaled acts of cruelty (801). The fact that the Europeans thought themselves first-class to all other races seems to give them authority to treat the native people in any manner they recognize. Ellis is an example of an peak racist in Orwells work. Ellis is a member of the European Club, a tutor at the timber company, and is the most heart-to-heart and obviously racist character in the novel.He spews forth a fulmination of foul language and name trade directed towards the Burmese people at ein truth opportunity. No one can reason with him or change hi s 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 hush up considers himself superior to them which is especially demonstrated finished 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 by and by take a bamboo and beat you bank non one of your ribs is whole (Orwell 87). It is suspicious that he would carry through with the beating, except the threat demonstrates his feeling of superiority. The attitudes of the English are wrong, but perhaps understandable. They assume that because the Burmese are non educated in the same manner as the English, they are not as intelligent. Since the country is not industrialized they shake got no ambition.Since the y are mild mannered and do not fight the English (who have guns), they have surrendered to their natural place in society. Since their flake is br cause instead of white, they are not beautiful. One must question how taradiddle would change if the Europeans of the 19th century and all people up to today would choose to run across and understand the cultures of others rather than take in judgments and make assumptions. Just as struggles amid the upper and lower class were natural from a lack of understanding for the other mans condition in the early days of industrialization, the same is adjust for the times of imperialism.The English in Burmese Days have taken escort of the area with no consideration to the enlist of the native people. They are stronger and in their own world they are smarter. The strong die hard the weak, and the weak have no pickax but to submit. One can be promiseful that strong societies will learn the rewards of building others up through study and sharing rather than tearing others reduce through dominance and discrimination. In the end, Burmese Days is a sad story. The protagonist, privy Flory commits suicide over the loss of the cleaning woman he loves.However, the saddest part of the story is that the English never really discover the defect of their superior attitude. Although these are fictional characters, it is distinctly that they will go through life with their self-righteous attitudes, and will never hit the hay 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 lighten 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 &038 World, Inc. 1950.