George Orwell's Sense Of Humor And His Characters' Ethnocentrism In Burmese Days

George Orwell had a great sense of humor by writing efficient descriptions which make his readers laugh in a certain way. He seems to tell his readers that he cannot only highlight his sense of humor but also use precise words to highlight his characters'negative view on the Asians which is called ethnocentrism. The thesis will analyze Orwell's sense of humor in two cultural aspects which are related to imperialism and the different lifestyles of the Asians in Burma. By reading his novel Burmese Days, it might be hard not to consider Orwell as a writer who makes his writing interesting through humorous descriptions. He also captures his readers' attention by his simple writings in Burmese Days.George Orwell depicts a few of his characters who show their ethnocentric attitudes towards the Burmese people and the Indian people. Orwell mainly creates Elizabeth Lackersteen, and Ellis who show the ethnocentric tendency. We can feel their ethnocentric attitudes deeply from the repeated words and sentences which are related to ethnocentrism. For example, nigger, Oriental and dog are three of the best illustrations to describe the characters' ethnocentric attitudes towards the Asians. The Europeans'ethnocentrism shapes the pettiness of the Asians in the novel. Orwell seems to tell his readers that humor is the medicine of life while he describes some of his characters who are the Whites and keep the hatred to the Asians in their deep minds. They often speak the sharp words which make the Asians feel offended. Therefore, Orwell repeats dozens of words and a few sentences in his novel to show his characters'offensive remarks to the Asians. It is necessary to mention Orwell's good writing skill and style.Based on the above analysis, George Orwell was not real Orwellian. Most of the readers know Orwell as a political writer. Very few people know he is a writer who emphasizes on cultural studies. When he wrote Burmese Days, he was not mature in political views. In the novel Orwell seems to emphasize the cultural perspectives which somewhat exist in modern times. Some people have ethnocentric views on others who are not as fortunate as them. As a result, there is racial discrimination to some extent in our modern world. George Orwell's Burmese Days reflects some modern cultural problems which are difficult to solve for some intolerant people who are not willing to accept different cultures.