Burmese Days

Compare and contrast at least two Burmese characters. How do their descriptions play into existing stereotypes? How do their descriptions fight against stereotypes by individualizing and humanizing them?

Discuss the use of gender roles and gender stereotypes in the text. How do the various characters support or challenge these gender constructs?

What is the significance of the “Eurasian” (half-white, half-native) characters, Francis and Samuel? Why do they provoke such revulsion among the Europeans? What spoken and unspoken rules of colonialism do they highlight by their very existence?

What is the significance of Flory’s birthmark? What does it represent to the other characters? How would his behavior change if he didn’t have such an obvious physical difference?

Describe the connection between the novel’s setting and various white characters’ innermost fears. How do elements of the setting affect and influence Flory’s loneliness, depression, and search for love? Elizabeth’s fear of ending up destitute and sexually vulnerable? The club members’ fear of native restlessness?

Even though Flory only spends one week per month in Kyauktada, much of the novel is viewed through the lens of the European Club. What is the significance of this choice and why do you think Orwell structured the novel this way?

The policing of real and metaphorical boundaries plays an important role in the text. Discuss some of the ways characters, society, and setting make sure that no one transgresses boundaries. Who or what is most successful in policing them and why?

Elizabeth is the only newcomer to Kyauktada, and the only young woman. Do you think she is portrayed sympathetically? Do you consider her a sympathetic character? Why or why not?