Finding George Orwell in Burma
Emma Larkin: Myanmar’s History of Oppression Traced in Literature
Larkin argues that Orwell's "Burmese Days", "1984", and "Animal Farm" are political prophesy, based on his experiences in the Indian Imperial Police of Colonial Burma.
Emma Larkin began her journey through Burma (modern day Myanmar) with a theory: that the arc of Burma’s history from colonial to modern times can be traced by three George Orwell novels.
Burmese Days
Burmese Days was Orwell’s first novel. Set in the fictional town of Kyauktada, the book reveals shortcomings of British colonialism.
The antihero, John Flory, is a member of a Europeans-only club but has become disenchanted with the British. The only friend who knows his frustrations is Dr. Veraswami. Flory is unable to save Veraswami from slander by nominating him to the club. Flory falls for Elizabeth, but she refuses him out of disgust for his affinity for the Burmese. Despairing at society and his personal life, Flory shoots himself.
Because of its anti-British theme, Burmese Days is the only Orwell book officially allowed in Myanmar. Larkin understands Burmese Days as a record of the evils of colonial rule.
Animal Farm
Orwell wrote Animal Farm as an allegory for Soviet socialism. Discontented with poor treatment from the humans that run their farm, pigs lead a revolution. They set up a communist government in which all animals are supposed to be equal. However, they soon declared that “all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others”, and the new government soon becomes more harsh than the prior farm regime.
Larkin successfully argues that Animal Farm can be viewed as a commentary on Burma. Like Orwell’s animal characters, the Burmese overthrew their government when General Ne Win lead a coup in the name of socialism. The new government, like the pigs, served its leaders far better than it served Burma’s people.
1984
1984 follows protagonist Winston Smith as he discovers the true nature of Oceania, the totalitarian society he lives in. Smith works at the Ministry of Truth, rewriting history to satisfy Oceania’s absolute control. All aspects of daily life are regimented, full of propaganda, and under surveillance by “Big Brother”. Smith begins to think independently; he transgresses authority by journaling anti-government thoughts, having a girlfriend, and joining an underground opposition movement called “the Brotherhood”. Smith is arrested by the Thought Police and discovers that the Brotherhood is another branch of Oceania that exists to create fear in society and capture citizens with delinquent tendencies. He is tortured until he betrays his girlfriend and is brainwashed.
1984 can be likened to contemporary Myanmar. Like Oceania, Myanmar’s military rulers censor publications and debate, pump the country full of propaganda, and maintain ubiquitous surveillance. Citizens are imprisoned and tortured on a whim.
George Orwell and Colonial Burma
George Orwell (the pen name of Eric Blair) spent five years as with the Indian Imperial Police in Burma. Orwell never fit into the exclusive European society there, and he soon became disenchanted with the harsh British system. It may have been his experiences as a cog in the machine of colonial oppression that made him so critical of social control.
Emma Larkin’s Journey
Finding George Orwell in Burma follows Larkin to the places in Burma that made a mark on Orwell. While traveling to Mandalay, the Delta, Rangoon, Moulmein, and Katha, Larkin is under constant surveillance and viewed with suspicion. She recounts the amazing stories of Burmese individuals who have survived and continue to (privately) think freely, despite their oppressive government.
Emma Larkin is not the only one to follow Orwell’s footsteps in Burma. Check out Steven Martin’s article for TIME about his journey to “to scare up the ghost of George Orwell.”
Find out more about Orwell on Suite by reading Classic Authors: George Orwell and To Kill A Word: Orwellian Linguistics.
Larkin, Emma. Finding George Orwell in Burma. New York: Penguin; 2004. ISBN 0-14-30371-0. US $15.00.
