Structure

Title

The title of George Orwell’s work from which this excerpt is taken, “Burmese Days”, sets the location of the story in Burma (which today is known as Myanmar). The reader expects that the story will take place in Burma. The title also suggests that the time setting (“days”) and the physical setting (“Burmese”) are both relevant and connected. This proves correct as the story turns out to take place during the British occupation of Burma.

Beginning

The excerpt begins in the middle of a conversation between the two main characters – Mr Flory, who is an English trader, and Dr Veraswami, who is a Burmese-Indian doctor. Dr Veraswami remarks that it is unsuitable for “ ‘an English gentleman of high gifts and character’ ” (p. 272, l. 3) to be so cynical and express “ ‘seditious opinions that are worthy of the Burmese Patriot’ ” (p. 272, l. 4). This is the first hint at the time setting, as readers begin to guess the events take place during the British occupation.

The exposition highlights the differences between the two characters and con...