Ko S’la Character Analysis in Burmese Days

Ko S’la, whose full name is Maung San Hla, is a small, dark-skinned Burmese man who works as John Flory’s manservant. Though the same age as bachelor Flory, Ko S’la has two wives and five children. After Flory dies by suicide, Ko S’la receives 400 rupees in Flory’s will, which he uses to start a teashop. Unfortunately, the teashop fails, and Ko S’la ends up working as a servant again for a rice-broker in Rangoon.

Ko S’la Character Timeline in Burmese Days

The timeline below shows where the character Ko S’la appears in Burmese Days. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Flory is napping in his bedroom when his long-term loyal servant Ko S’la wakes him up by bringing him tea. Though the same age as bachelor Flory, Ko... (full context)

...only care for the money and status he brings her—she is secretly having sex with Ko S’la ’s younger brother. (full context)

Freedom of Speech, Self-Expression, and Loneliness Theme Icon

...cart and stops at a native village to drink some tea. At home, Flory and Ko S’la clean ticks off Flo. Then Flory shaves, bathes, eats, and heads to the club. (full context)

Ko S’la brings gin onto the veranda for Flory and the woman (Elizabeth), but Flory refuses the... (full context)

Suddenly, Flory and the woman (Elizabeth) notice that the cook and Ko S’la ’s family are spying on them from beyond the veranda. The curious audience reminds them... (full context)

...meeting Elizabeth, Flory has a barber cut his hair and shave him. He also orders Ko S’la to put out his nicest suit in anticipation of going to the club that evening.... (full context)

...she clings to the gatepost and screams about a wig that she and one of Ko S’la ’s wives both claim. Flory pays Ma Hla May another two rupees to compensate her,... (full context)

Though Ko S’la disapproved of Ma Hla May, he dislikes Flory’s new behavior: attending church, no longer drinking... (full context)

When Flory approaches his house, Ko S’la hurries out and informs him Ma Hla May is there. Flory pales, emphasizing his birthmark.... (full context)

...quite right that he “robbed her of her youth.” He demands that, instead of breakfast, Ko S’la fetch him some gin. (full context)

On the day of their hunting trip, Flory and Elizabeth ride in canoes with Ko S’la , Flo the dog, and Burmese guides toward a jungle village. When they come ashore,... (full context)

...the pigeon. One beater brings it to her. After touching it and handing it to Ko S’la , who has the game bag, she longs to kiss Flory. Later, they come upon... (full context)

...Flory, shaken, wonders why Elizabeth behaved so coldly toward him. He goes back home, where Ko S’la cleans his cuts. He bathes, still thinking about Elizabeth. He’s sure she’s terribly angry with... (full context)

...Flory vividly pictures what he believes occurred between them, storms inside, and gets very drunk. Ko S’la , trying to be helpful, procures Flory a sex worker, but Flory just ends up... (full context)

...for and lost Elizabeth. He pulls a pistol from beneath his bed. He has bequeathed Ko S’la money in his will, but he still needs to take care of Flo. He calls... (full context)

Ko S’la rushes into the room, sees Flory’s body, and yells at another servant to get Dr.... (full context)

With the 400 rupees Flory left Ko S’la in his will, Ko S’la starts a tea shop, but the business fails. After a... (full context)