The thirteenth chapter of George Orwell’s 1934 work Burmese Days is a whirlwind in cases of power dynamics; as well as subsequent masks and manipulation.
Entering the chapter is once again a meeting between English Flory and the Burmese native, Doctor Veraswami. In their meeting the Dr. reveals he has figured out more regarding the looming conspiracy towards him on the part of the local magistrate U Po Kyin’s vying for election to the European Club, climbing up the ladder through sewing literal sedition to levy attacks at the Dr., supposedly on the behalf of the Dr.
Once again the analogy of crocodiles striking at the weakest spot is rephrased. Reformed to the new light of Flory siding with Versawami in opposition to the magistrate as being an English Oriental would technically supersede the current amassed authority of U Po Kyin in general conventionality; however, since the initial dialogue regarding the crocodile Flory gained what would seem to be a new Achilles Heel with her arrival to India from Paris and his meeting of Elizabeth.
That arrival being the catalyst for the rest of the chapter, and rationale behind choosing the doctor even if the convention is to let such petty Native business happen regardless as it served to only increase the idea of needing the control English Oriental’s had.
“He knew why. It was because Elizabeth, by coming into his life, had so changed it and renewed it that all the dirty, miserable years might never have passed. Her presence has changed the whole orbit of his mind. She had brought him back to the air of England…”
While a break from English convention on behalf of a native, an act where at the moment Elizabeth’s character would seemingly frown towards; the purpose is as strange as it would seem exactly for that, though ultimately a seeming nostalgia in her as a mirroring muse.
For so many years, as stated, while not void of companionship (as showcased fully later in the chapter), Flory’s day-to-day had been miserable; a listless existence of drinking and smoking and going about his duties, waiting to return to England… During the course of the story, he even almost makes it even for just a brief period, only to be called back to Burma. Finding himself, somehow, thankful to be back rather than his country of birth.
The relation between Master & Servant has historically been one of an inherently dubious quality, given the blatant implication of one authority subjecting another to its own bends. A mundane extreme throughout time of slaves and other such synonyms for servitude— even Thomas Jefferson had at least one of them as a concubine, fathering a bastard child with a slave being the way we know in his case; it wasn’t uncommon.
Ma Hla May worked as servant to Flory for a vast majority of his time in Burma leading up to the arrival of Elizabeth. Detailed in prior chapters of the book, the relationship between Flory and Ma Hla is innately speculative and Orwell makes no secret the dynamic of their sensual busines; the implication in it began as a form of rape and to an extent remained so even though over time she may have seemingly became attached. Or as it would seem their case could have been somewhat of a mutually inclusive hypnosis within her Stockholm Syndrome…
All cards of which shifted against her favor with Flory’s eyes darting to Elizabeth, as opposed to her conventional comfort. Or, as repeatedly stated as his ideation a few times within the chapter, the decent life that late he once lead.
Attempting more restraint regarding his whiskey and tobacco driven habits, the listlessly living he believed, and did indeed on some level have albeit, at least only of late. Essentially, vice literally vulgar to the veins slowed down in relation to what Carl Jung pointed out regarding muses as a mirror-style conduit for what one wants to see in their reflection.
Flory’s home is Burma, India. Though he desires some part of England, which he seems to perceive Elizabeth as portraying. The comforting capacity that could be there in companionship that seems familiar and similar and the nostalgia she brings to him, as well as a probable procreative impulse for continued lineage and conventional courtship.
Similarly to cutting back on tobacco and alcohol in the presence of Elizabeth, Flory disregards Ma Hla May all the same. Or at least, initially attempts to. Having, “ruined her,” by her own as well as general cultural standards, and apparent gained attachment, during the week of her initial expulsion sent a mere message demanding a payment of 50 rupees, though it was disregarded.
Going back to Flory’s after a week, Ma Hla May’s character appears to him at his arrival back to his abode proceeding his meeting with Doctor Versawami.
Disheveled, plastered in a heavy white mask of makeup on her face she pleaded for a pity she seemed to know wouldn’t be given, even if felt. Wailing on the floor, Flory in his mind acknowledges her pain is his doing, however given the dynamic of power in the hypothetical late lead life it’s next to nothing, until eventually readjusting herself and in solemn-bitterness marched down the path away from the home.
Dynamic encapsulated by Flory as she leaves, in his understanding that, “It was true, he had robbed her of her youth…” but with his power, concern turns back to his prior pondering. The solipsistic misery wallowing:
“Where is the life that late led I?”
“Late-lead,” as if dead before it ever left the head…
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