At first, I thought that the power players in Orwell\u2019s account were the Burmans. However, upon closer examination I find this not to be true. While the Burmans can yell obscenities at Orwell as soon as they in the background and anonymous, this does not represent a significant form of power. Their power comes in the form of perpetuating brutal British behavior, as the British feel that it is expected of them and they will be exposed as weak otherwise. While this certainly represents power, this actually harms the Burmans, therefore making it less valid in my opinion. I also find that Orwell does not have true power in the account, as he acts according to the Burmans’ expectations rather than his own free will. Instead, their is a third variable holding power over both Orwell and the Burmans. This third variable is the British state. Without British backing, Orwell would not be in his position, and the Burmans would not have their expectations of him as a brutal man. Both Orwell and the Burmans experience oppression, as they cannot acknowledge their hidden politics without fear for some repercussion. Thus, the British government had set up in Burma two sets of pawns, creating a political stalemate, perpetuating their power over the region.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
At first, I thought that the power players in Orwell\u2019s account were the Burmans. However, upon closer examination I find this not to be true. While the Burmans can yell obscenities at Orwell as soon as they in the background … Continue reading