tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post1509500627281051877..comments2024-03-04T06:12:38.695+13:00Comments on Photo-Sleuth: Sepia Saturday 184: Burmese DaysBrett Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706734864792449845noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-18003752930333419222013-07-24T13:01:16.615+12:002013-07-24T13:01:16.615+12:00OK, I get the drift, or at least I have a platform...OK, I get the drift, or at least I have a platform on which to build, thanks.Brett Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07706734864792449845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-83778935340163050462013-07-24T12:57:25.450+12:002013-07-24T12:57:25.450+12:00Let me sum it up in a few words:
the new world, a...Let me sum it up in a few words: <br />the new world, a french colony, <br />abandoned by the French king and left in the hands of Anglos... Ever since, a society with an identity crisis, fighting to survive on a continent mostly anglophone. We have a separatist party since the 1970s that has achieved power occasionally but never won a referendum when the question of separation was asked. We will eventually vanish, a mere shadow of our previous selves. <br />C'est la vie, as they say... <br />:/~ <br />HUGZBruno Lalibertéhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09607511642101907283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-60798751718387134512013-07-09T20:45:54.567+12:002013-07-09T20:45:54.567+12:00Bruno: I suppose that's the attraction of thes...Bruno: I suppose that's the attraction of these weekly Sepian image prompts. There are so many directions to take them. The first image attracted me when I saw it on eBay because I've long been a fan of Orwell, and it's not that long ago that I read Burmese Days. I think that's the first I've read about colonial Burma since reading some Somerset Maugham short stories in my 20s, and it struck me how similarly post-colonial Burma and Indonesia ended up. Of course, I touched on Indonesia in another recent Photo-Sleuth article.<br /><br />I think many of us can relate to aspects of that tyrannical power. Having grown up in minority white-ruled Rhodesia (now the absolute mess that is Zimbabwe), I've seen the terrible downstream effects that colonial oppression and tyranny can have. I don't know much about Quebecois politics, but I'm off to have a read now!Brett Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07706734864792449845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-41013707771993713212013-07-09T20:35:40.762+12:002013-07-09T20:35:40.762+12:00Well, well, I certainly didn't expect to hear ...Well, well, I certainly didn't expect to hear from Orwell, given the prompt. Great spin. Isn't the note on the back of that first picture a little condescending? A byproduct of Imperialism... <br /><br />I do like Orwell's reflection upon tyranny as I find it somehow fits the previous government we had here and the actions of the police forces against the people during the many protest marches we had for about a year and a half. The government has since changed and the marches have died down quite a lot as well. But the brutality of some resonates with his words. His work remains pertinent to this day. <br />:)~ <br />HUGZBruno Lalibertéhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09607511642101907283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-55443709787359225192013-07-08T16:51:35.902+12:002013-07-08T16:51:35.902+12:00I think I read 1984 in school, but the rest in my ...I think I read 1984 in school, but the rest in my 20s.Brett Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07706734864792449845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-44748863364081869042013-07-08T16:50:59.549+12:002013-07-08T16:50:59.549+12:00Yes I think the moustache looks particularly offic...Yes I think the moustache looks particularly officious ;-) Enjoy your reading Nancy.Brett Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07706734864792449845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-76625780707929840912013-07-08T11:48:11.886+12:002013-07-08T11:48:11.886+12:00You know, it's been so very long since I read ...You know, it's been so very long since I read Orwell (high school decades and decades ago) that you've enticed me to read him again. Now I won't have a grade hanging over my head.Tattered and Losthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00208918251232477186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-10068900268832815972013-07-08T10:41:29.379+12:002013-07-08T10:41:29.379+12:00Love that photo. The man in the photo is probably ...Love that photo. The man in the photo is probably the type of colonial officer that Orwell hated. He sure looks the type. <br />I'll have to read those books about Burma. I've read lots of books about the British in India. Now I'll have to graduate to Orwell in Burma. <br />Thanks for the reading list.<br />Nancy North County Film Clubhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13683794164957833415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-45648058015529580292013-07-07T12:40:11.720+12:002013-07-07T12:40:11.720+12:00When I found it I was thinking it had almost a Fre...When I found it I was thinking it had almost a French colonial look about it, so perhaps we're thinking along similar lines.Brett Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07706734864792449845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-56528064831367679622013-07-07T12:39:07.376+12:002013-07-07T12:39:07.376+12:00I think it's as relevant as it was the day it ...I think it's as relevant as it was the day it was written, and therefore well worth reading.Brett Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07706734864792449845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-76753503004685933962013-07-07T12:30:08.261+12:002013-07-07T12:30:08.261+12:00Wow, the British Club in Katha looks like it could...Wow, the British Club in Katha looks like it could one sitting in New Orleans. Excellent story, and photos as well!21 Witshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00071361755673253230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-22227442725402964142013-07-07T08:58:27.678+12:002013-07-07T08:58:27.678+12:00Finding George Orwell in Burma arrived in the post...<i>Finding George Orwell in Burma</i> arrived in the post yesterday, and I'm well on my way already.Brett Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07706734864792449845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-81346433360535785372013-07-07T08:56:17.242+12:002013-07-07T08:56:17.242+12:00Glad you enjoyed it Kathy.Glad you enjoyed it Kathy.Brett Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07706734864792449845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-48241636743712475542013-07-07T08:55:24.916+12:002013-07-07T08:55:24.916+12:00Thanks Mike. Those puttees suggest officialdom to...Thanks Mike. Those puttees suggest officialdom to me, although I could be wrong. I hadn't noticed the bump on his leg - it does look like a scar, doesn't it. Shall we say that it was the result of an encounter with a tiger?Brett Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07706734864792449845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-81108719287338171952013-07-07T08:52:33.114+12:002013-07-07T08:52:33.114+12:00Yes I read that one too, Bob. It's part of hi...Yes I read that one too, Bob. It's part of his <i>Collected Essays</i> which I bought last year, I think for $1 at a book fair.Brett Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07706734864792449845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-44916094906308507722013-07-07T08:51:35.886+12:002013-07-07T08:51:35.886+12:00I don't think I've ever met someone from B...I don't think I've ever met someone from Burma, but I've been to the north of Thailand.Brett Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07706734864792449845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-53588554186696775032013-07-07T07:10:38.131+12:002013-07-07T07:10:38.131+12:00You're going to be busy with all that Orwell!You're going to be busy with all that Orwell!Little Nellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-81556558054184450752013-07-07T04:28:51.112+12:002013-07-07T04:28:51.112+12:00This is so interesting. I haven't read any of...This is so interesting. I haven't read any of his work from start to finish, but I will get started soon. <br /><br />Thanks so much for the history lesson.<br /><br />Kathy M.Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07171271956883698673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-66139199041620828412013-07-07T02:40:07.754+12:002013-07-07T02:40:07.754+12:00That is a very intriguing photo and link to Orwell...That is a very intriguing photo and link to Orwell, Brett. I like how the gentleman sports an air of casual dress with shorts, collarless shirt and rolled sleeves, but the belt, leggings, and helmet add a formal colonial quality. I see him as more the classic British scholarly adventurer than a military man. I note a bump on his right leg. An old wound, perhaps?Mike Brubakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13065245846262417519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-12043596534546118822013-07-07T00:31:40.241+12:002013-07-07T00:31:40.241+12:00I guess I'm a 1984 and an Animal Farm only rea...I guess I'm a 1984 and an Animal Farm only reader too. But I did read his essay on Donald McGill's saucy postcards. (The Art Of Donald McGill)Bob Scotneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00662958579705940009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-84775560679876673382013-07-06T14:54:22.190+12:002013-07-06T14:54:22.190+12:00An interesting photo that took you down an interes...An interesting photo that took you down an interesting path. I confess little knowledge of Orwell's life, but read the required Animal Farm in high school. We have a large Burmese refugee population here. Many with little to no education because of years spent in refugee camps in Thailand. Some of the sweetest people I have had the pleasure to meet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-83242182668563557242013-07-06T13:28:46.186+12:002013-07-06T13:28:46.186+12:00Yes, he did a good job exposing the inequalities o...Yes, he did a good job exposing the inequalities of English society, but who knows what he might have got up to had he remained in Burma. I'm about to read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0143037110/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0143037110&linkCode=as2&tag=photosleuth-20" rel="nofollow">Finding Orwell in Burma</a>, which has just arrived in the post, so perhaps that will give me some more insight.Brett Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07706734864792449845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-26470919142985339582013-07-06T13:25:28.398+12:002013-07-06T13:25:28.398+12:00Me too. That's why I snapped this one up - lu...Me too. That's why I snapped this one up - lucky nobody else was interested, as the seller might have extracted quite a bit more than the usual from me.Brett Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07706734864792449845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-70910410906839326002013-07-06T13:22:27.295+12:002013-07-06T13:22:27.295+12:00I found myself mesmerized by the expressions of th...I found myself mesmerized by the expressions of the man in the photo and the Buddha -- back and forth, back and forth -- almost like a secret going on there. Strange what photos do to me.Joanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07948553013206247354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-47281561296755655122013-07-06T11:13:44.798+12:002013-07-06T11:13:44.798+12:00I read them long ago too but recently heard a read...I read them long ago too but recently heard a reading of 1984 on bbc4 which reminded me of the parts I had forgotten. I didn't know anything about Orwell's real life. Glad he gave up the colonial service and wrote.Kristinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06413795611563683135noreply@blogger.com