1. The Postcolonial Literature
Parmar Dipali K.
Roll No: 24
Topic: Concept of Orientalism
Unit: 3 “Orientalism: Edward Said”
M.A. Sem. 3
Batch: 2015-’17
Email Id: dipaliparmar247@gmail.com
Department Of English (M.K.B.U.)
2.
3. Index
Introduction
History of Orientalism
1. Definition of the term
2. The first Orientalists
Orientalism in Art
1. Imitation of Oriental styles
2. Examples of Orientalism in Arts
Edward Said and Orientalism
References
4. Introduction
In the 19th century, a trend for the Orient appeared. The artists were
inspired by its luxury, its mystery and the supernatural that surrounded
this part of the world. But this new craze for Orientalism was also the
reflection of several historical events such as:
-the Egyptian campaign (1798-1799)
-the Greek war for Independence (1821-1829)
-the conquest of Algiers by the French (1830)
-the opening of the Suez Canal (1869)
-the progressive dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire because of
rivalries and of colonial ambitions.
5. History of the Orientalism
1. Definition:
Orientalism refers to the “Orient” + “Occident”.
“Orient” means “The East”
“Occident” means “The West”.
‘Orientalism’ word’s root word is ‘Oriens’ which means……….
The Eastern Part of the World
The East
The Rising Sun
Daybreak &
Dawn
Thus Orientalism means styles, aspects or traits considered characteristics of the
people of Asia.
6. 2. The First Orientalists:
The first "Orientalists" were 19th century
scholars who translated the writings of the
Orient into English, based on the idea that an
effective colonial downfall requires knowledge of
the dominated peoples.
This is the idea of knowledge as a power
by Said.
Said thinks that by knowing the Orient, the West
came to own it.
There is the image of the Orient as passive while
the West was active.
So according to Said, it is imperialism which
motivated Orientalism.
7. Orientalism In Art
1.Imitation of Oriental styles
Imitations of oriental styles began in the 18th century with the
Turqueries that could be found in clothing, literature, music and
furniture.
Then, from 18th century, Western designers attempted to imitate
the technical sophistication of Chinese ceramics, this was called
Chinoiserie.
After 1860, Japonaiserie became an important influence in the
western arts.
James McNeill Whistler's "Peacock Room" is one of the finest
works of this genre.
10. 2. Examples of Orientalism in Arts:
In Literature…
1704, the first French translation of “Arabian Nights” by Antoine Galland.
In Poetry…
1816, The poem “Kubla Khan” by S.T. Coleridge
In Painting…
the painting ofJean-Léon Géromés La Prière dans la maison.
In Music…
Popular song “Princess of China” by Coldplay and Rihanna.
11. Edward Said & Orientalism
Orientalism had no negative connotation before
Said’s work publication of “Orientalism”.
Said emphasized the relationship between power and knowledge.
Said argued that Orient and Occident worked as oppositional terms, so that
the "Orient" was constructed as a negative inversion of Western culture.
The historian Bernard Lewis, also criticized Said's theory. He argues that Orient
as a negative mirror image of the West is not wholly true.
Recently, the term Occidentalism has been used to refer to the negative
views of the Western world that can sometimes be found in Eastern societies
today.
