This week we’re discussing the second half of Burmese Days by George Orwell.
The Tannerite has been lit and the explosion, rather than revealing the gender of a baby on the way, sends sharpnel of despair into the reader’s eyes.
For the first few chapters, Flory’s star is rising. He has made up with Elizabeth by going hunting with her. On their hunt Flory and Elizabeth encounter a leopard which they successfully slay. Elizabeth is overcome with emotional whimsey and expects Flory to ask for her hand in marriage before the week is up. This is for sensible reasons as well - to preclude a life of absolute poverty and escape the grasp of her lecherous Uncle. Elizabeth’s affection even gives Flory the courage to recommend Dr. Veraswami to the English Club, as a way to protect his friend from the machinations of U Po Kyin.
But wait, the dashing, polo-playing, horse riding Lieutenant Verrall arrives and sweeps Elizabeth off her feet. She discovers Flory’s “beastly” relationship with the Burmese woman Ma Hla May and her affections shift directions. But Verrall’s poise is only matched by his debts, and he leaves Kyauktada without a word to Elizabeth or to his creditors. Like the gentle Burmese breeze, Elizabeth’s attention now shifts back to Flory.
The “crocodile” U Po Kyin executes a dastardly plan and fomented a fake rebellion, with the idea that if U Po Kyin were to stop the rebellion he would gain favor with the English. This faux rebellion morphs into a real one after reprisals and counter-reprisals. Eventually, a mob of Burmese villagers show up at the English Club to take revenge on the scoundrel Ellis, but Flory saves the day by both dispersing the mob and avoiding any unnecessary death. U Po Kyin seems to have been foiled, Elizabeth is smitten with Flory, and all seems right with the world, or Flory’s world at least.
However, the crocodile has another snap left in him. U Po Kyin recruits Flory’s former mistress, Ma Hla May to demand money from Flory at a Sunday church service. Elizabeth in a characteristic fashion, responds with disgust towards Flory and rejects him once again. Flory makes his way home, shoots our most redeemable character, the dog Flo, and does himself in with a bullet to the chest.
The final chapter gives us some insight into life after Flory’s suicide. Verasami is sent out of Kyauktada, Elizabeth marries the outpostt military man McGregor, and U Po Kyin dies soon after.
