Burmese Days

Burmese Days is a book by George Orwell, first published in 1934. Set in British-ruled Burma during the height of the British Empire, this early novel draws on Orwell’s own experiences in colonial service to present a stark portrait of imperial life and moral compromise.

The story centres on John Flory, a timber merchant living in the remote district of Kyauktada, where a small circle of European officials dominates the local population. Alienated from his fellow colonials yet unable to escape the privileges of his position, Flory struggles with isolation, prejudice, and his growing disillusionment with imperial rule. The arrival of Elizabeth Lackersteen, newly arrived from England, intensifies his internal conflict between conformity and conscience.

Through its depiction of racial tension, social hypocrisy, and the corrosive effects of power, the novel examines the realities of colonialism in Southeast Asia. It offers a penetrating study of loneliness, identity, and moral weakness within a rigid imperial hierarchy. Frequently studied as a classic work of twentieth-century literature, it remains a significant example of political fiction and historical fiction exploring British colonial society. Burmese Days stands as a powerful early statement of Orwell’s critical perspective on empire and authority.