Love this Melissa, beautiful walk through, thoughtful, and informative. It gave me new insights into the geopolitics and how Orwell's experiences would color his politics. Thank you.
I couldn’t put this down! Great work Melissa thank you for taking the time to write it and share it.
“This led to a strange caste system in which the English all ranked firmly at the top, followed by a sect of Burmese who were loyal to the English because the English despots actually raised their standard of living. They got rich, comparatively speaking, by playing along with the exploitative imperialist system..”
It sounds like the same relationship between the pharmaceutical industry and many doctors.
Nice observation about the pharmaceutical industry, Charlotte! You’re spot-on—I guess this is just the ‘shape’ that tyranny takes, no matter who takes power.
We can see in his time in Burma the roots of the anti-establishment philosophy that is a prominent textual feature of his two best known books, "Animal Farm" and "1984".
The Flory /Veraswami relationship and the vendetta against Veraswami are key to understanding this book. You missed all the main themes but it is a tough read in places and I wouldn't blame you for not getting very far with it Melissa. Unfortunately you seem to have misinterpreted the character of Veraswami who was not naive - he certainly understood his own country - his predicament was symptomatic. In fact it was Flory was who was incredulous with how things worked - he failed to appreciate the danger his friend was in for a start. What is fascinating about the Veraswami character is that it gives the reader a way of accessing that time and place form the Burmese perspective. You can't do that if you try to interpret it from a modern lens - which is a problem with modern criticism in general that is to be avoided. Flory was cowardly in places and things didn't go well for him overall (without giving any spoilers) - he is an anti-hero really Orwell's conscience in the piece. It's almost like his atonement for being part of it and that puts the essays in context no doubt. The motif of futility that runs through almost all his fiction (plus Homage to Catalonia) is here. In his books the idealist is always crushed before disappearing like they were never there. For various reasons it is perhaps the only book of his I have never recommended to anyone. Good effort though.
Love this Melissa, beautiful walk through, thoughtful, and informative. It gave me new insights into the geopolitics and how Orwell's experiences would color his politics. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Michael!
Excellent, young lady!
Not so youd'a noticed of course (grin) but I tend to be a bit of a contrarian , oft looking for the other side of the story.
In this case I think you've touched at least 27 sides of the tale. Good job!
Haha, that's pretty high praise. Thanks, Jim!
I couldn’t put this down! Great work Melissa thank you for taking the time to write it and share it.
“This led to a strange caste system in which the English all ranked firmly at the top, followed by a sect of Burmese who were loyal to the English because the English despots actually raised their standard of living. They got rich, comparatively speaking, by playing along with the exploitative imperialist system..”
It sounds like the same relationship between the pharmaceutical industry and many doctors.
Nice observation about the pharmaceutical industry, Charlotte! You’re spot-on—I guess this is just the ‘shape’ that tyranny takes, no matter who takes power.
Thanks so much!
Great article and exposure Melissa!
Thanks, Albert! :)
We can see in his time in Burma the roots of the anti-establishment philosophy that is a prominent textual feature of his two best known books, "Animal Farm" and "1984".
Very true!
The British and other countries started an era of upheavel with their colonialism that is still causing trouble all over the world.
Greedy, arrogant and ignorant men.. again..
forcing ones culture, religion and ideologies on others is not our job down here.. nor is enslavement, exploitation and subjugation.
The ignoramuses :) of this world seem to be still in charge and have not learned the lesson.
The Flory /Veraswami relationship and the vendetta against Veraswami are key to understanding this book. You missed all the main themes but it is a tough read in places and I wouldn't blame you for not getting very far with it Melissa. Unfortunately you seem to have misinterpreted the character of Veraswami who was not naive - he certainly understood his own country - his predicament was symptomatic. In fact it was Flory was who was incredulous with how things worked - he failed to appreciate the danger his friend was in for a start. What is fascinating about the Veraswami character is that it gives the reader a way of accessing that time and place form the Burmese perspective. You can't do that if you try to interpret it from a modern lens - which is a problem with modern criticism in general that is to be avoided. Flory was cowardly in places and things didn't go well for him overall (without giving any spoilers) - he is an anti-hero really Orwell's conscience in the piece. It's almost like his atonement for being part of it and that puts the essays in context no doubt. The motif of futility that runs through almost all his fiction (plus Homage to Catalonia) is here. In his books the idealist is always crushed before disappearing like they were never there. For various reasons it is perhaps the only book of his I have never recommended to anyone. Good effort though.
Haven’t read it although I am a confirmed Orwell fan.I will now!