Setting

Physical setting

The physical setting “Burmese Days” by George Orwell is Burma (today called Myanmar), during the time when it was a province of British India. Therefore, the time setting can be anytime between January 1886 when Burma came under British rule and the early 1930s when the novel was published. Since Mr Flory and Dr Veraswami are discussing the various effects of British rule, this could imply that the events take place after the British have been in Burma for some time. Therefore, the events probably happen during the late 1920s or early 1930s, closer to the time the story was written.

The discussion between the two friends takes place in the house of Dr Veraswami. We are told several times that the argument repeats itself, with the same ideas and almost the same words, so we can assume that Mr Flory visits Dr Veraswami often.

 Mr Flory also mentions the club he goes to. A gentlemen’s club was an important aspect of British culture and was often adopted in the colonies. Many times, such clubs placed restrictions on non-white members. The text also mentio...