A Study Of Burmese Days From The Perspective Of Spatial Criticism

George Orwell, one of the greatest writers in the first half of the twentieth century, left a rich literary legacy for the world during his short lifetime. Most of his works contain unique political ideas and profound humanistic cares. Burmese Days is Orwell‘s first novel created on the basis of his experience as an imperial policeman in Burma. After its publication, this novel has been interpreted by many critics from various perspectives. This thesis, based on previous researches, attempts to interpret the theme of colonialism of the novel from the perspective of spatial criticism, which is mainly put forward by Lefebvre, Foucault and other critics in the 20 th century.This thesis is divided into five chapters:The first chapter introduces George Orwell‘s life, the writing background of Burmese Days, the history of research on the novel at home and abroad as well as the study approach and purpose of this thesis.The second chapter analyzes the physical space in the novel to demonstrate the fact that the natives and the colonizers live in two different worlds even though they stand on the same land of Burma. The rule of ?No Orientals in the European Club? creates another world which is different from the common one and unreachable for the native people. Unlike the enclosed club, the bazaar and the forest for hunting are open spaces in which frequent contacts seem to provide an opportunity to realize the mutual integration. However, due to the pervasive and powerful western values and codes, the colonialists and the colonized are impossible to live in the same world.The third chapter analyzes the social space in the novel to probe into the racial tension and division. Backed by the Empire‘s powerful army and colonial domination, the white men undoubtedly occupy the position of the upper class in the society of Burma. They are the conceivers of the representations of space, which enables them to conceive the oriental races according to their own understanding and cognition. With the emergence of national movement and the wide spread of democratic spirit, the Orientals at the bottom of the society are no longer willing to submit to humiliation. They are trying to challenge the pukka sahibs‘ authority to gain equity and justice that they deserve. Although their revolt is not for racial equality and national liberation, it still plays a positive role in challenging the pukka sahibs‘ authority and shaking the Empire‘s dominion.The fourth chapter analyzes Flory‘s mental space to unfold the loneliness and boredom of the life in the colony as well as to criticize the decay and corruption of the colonial system. Flory questions the legitimacy of the imperialism, but lacks the courage to express his discontent with the British Empire. He embraces endless sympathy and infatuation to the orient but cannot immerse into the oriental life. Eventually, Flory becomes the ?other? to both the two worlds. For white men, he is a traitor, whereas for the Orientals, he is an odd pukka sahib. Finally, the unbearable loneliness pushes him to the abyss of death. Flory‘s death stems from the spiritual depression and distortion exerted on him by the white community. Meanwhile, it is a powerful indictment of the colonial system.The fifth chapter is the concluding part. It generalizes the profound influences of the colonialism on physical space, social space and mental space. Moreover, it points out that George Orwell discloses and criticizes the decayed and corrupted colonial system and predicts the decline of the British Empire. In a word, Burmese Days is an elegy for colonialism both in the history of literature and in the history of social development.