Orientalism in the World of Artists and Literary Figures - Assignment Example

Lei Wang Sarah Cash Eng 106-B1 June Orientalism as a Lens for Analysis During the seventeenth and the eighteenth century, Edward Said’s theme of Orientalism played a vital role in the literary works across Europe (Said 2). It significantly fueled the imagination of various artists and several literary figures. The text is a critique of the knowledge of the Orient and all its affiliated ideologies. In the book, the author analyzes keenly, the cultural, political, and historical perceptions of the East by the Western folks. Also incorporated in the text, is a chronological account of the development of the people of the East and their areas of origin. Said traces most of his perceptive from the colonial era at a time when America had not become the world’s superpower. At this time, the British had colonies in the East and the French was also on the verge of establishing dynasties in the same location. The paper identifies, interprets and analyzes some of the proponents of the Said for use as a lens in the analysis of a primary text. Said pinpoints some assumptions made by the West about the Orient. He assumes that the West perceives Arabs as dishonest, menacing, anti-western and irrational. The text reveals that the thoughts presented in it are in opposition to how he considers the West to think of themselves (5). Therefore, he outlines his broadly projected image of the people of Arabic nature as they feature in the minds of the Western people. Specifically, he acknowledges that the Arabs exist in the western minds as “others.” According to them, anyone who is not one of them belongs to the category of others. The author addresses his issues using assumptions that one may risk considering to be truthful (7). If one takes such a positive stance, his ideologies and relations with the Arabs may be jeopardized. Hence, while considering Said’s arguments one should be cautious to avoid bias. The call for a new perception and treatment of “the Orient” that permits the independent representation of authors who belong to the Orient as opposed to the reliance on the second-hand representation is valuable. In respect to the profound dependence on other personalities for ideas, it is significant to notice the widespread use of the word “orient” on almost half of the world. The mentioning of a greater part of the world as orient expands the bracket of disparity and intensifies the divide on ideology and identity. However, making such broad generalization is unwarranted in the modern day as nations such as Egypt and the Chinese that have achieved a significant level of civilization should not fall into that category (1). Most significantly, Said assists in the exploration of the process of creating diverse binary opposites and unveiling the core values that influence these divides in maintaining polarized ideologies. It is only through the identification of the dividing line between the West and the “others” that actors can ease the level of polarization. Through initiating this valuable call, Said demands an erasure of the artificial boundaries that cause the separation, and that magnifies differences between the two worlds (5). Indeed, a more moderate means of thinking is requisites to sustain the world’s unity and stability. Concerning the elimination of binary opposites, terms such as; uncivilized and civilized, underdeveloped and developed, ignorant and educated, repressed and liberated should not feature in the vocabulary of any individual or state. In conclusion, Orientalism, though controversial, remains influential in other fields and the post-colonial studies. Said’s ability to trace and consolidate the attitudes and perceptions of the West and the rest of the world in a single text, is appreciable. It is vital to recap several aspects in the use of his book as a lens for analysis. Said made significant assumptions that may influence the perception and ideologies of the reader. As mentioned above, most of the assumptions are negative in natures because they portray the West as perceiving Arabs as dishonest, menacing, anti-western and irrational. In this respect, caution is requisite in unveiling the extent of the truthfulness of claims because they originate from biased assumption. Said’s call for a novel perceptions and treatment of “the Orient” that involves embracing independent representation of authors as opposed to the reliance on the second-hand representation. Lastly, Said assists in the exploration of the process of creating diverse binary opposites. He unveils the core values that influence these divides in the course of maintaining polarized ideologies. Overall, Said’s advocacy for easing the persistently stretching divide is significant, and nations such as U.S should follow suit through reframing their policies and abandoning the “othering” behavior. The concept of “othering,” which is part of Said’s Orientalism, can be used to lens Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Adventure of the Speckled Band. While reading the book, it becomes clear that the two leading characters – Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Roylott – embody this aspect through the representation of the good versus evil theme. It is interesting to note that Said’s theory of Orientalism also extends to the notion of good versus evil, which was used by the West to portray underdeveloped countries as inferior. In this regard, uncivilized countries were seen as symbols of the “other” part of the world that did not have anything good to offer. On the other hand, the accident was seen as the epitome of all that could be classified as good. When “othering” is applied in the context of Coyle’s work, Dr. Roylott takes the place of the orient (the other) while Sherlock Holmes represents the West. While Holmes refuses to be remunerated by Helen Stoner, telling her that his “profession is its reward (Doyle 2), Dr. Roylott murders kills Julia (one of his stepdaughters) and then tries to kill Helen to avoid sharing with them part of their mother’s wealth which she handed down to him at the time of her death. Dr. Roylott is also contemptuous towards Holmes, calling him “the meddler” and a “the busybody” (Doyle 6). From a modernist (Western) perspective, and considering the dynamics of Said’s Orientalism, it is not far-fetched to apply the practice of “othering” to the separation of good from evil in Coyle’s narrative. Work Cited Said, Edward W. Orientalism. New York: Vintage Books, 1979. Print. Read More