"The English sent all their bores abroad, and acquired the Empire as a punishment"

This quote by Edward Bond is a humorous way of taking a look at the British Empire. It suggests that the English sent all their bores, or people who are dull and laborious, abroad as a form of punishment. This punishment was the acquisition of the British Empire, which was a large and powerful empire that covered the globe. The quote implies that the English were so desperate to get rid of their bores that they wanted to take on the obligation of ruling a vast empire. It also suggests that the English were not gotten ready for the obstacles that came with ruling such a large empire, which it was an uphill struggle. The quote is a funny way of taking a look at the British Empire and its acquisition, and it recommends that the English were willing to handle the obligation of ruling a large empire in order to get rid of their bores.