Transcript Orientalism - Mr. Murphy's Classroom Blog | Information

September 29 – AP Lit
• Taking Perspective: Umuzungu Wambere
• Taking a Perspective – 1st Look
– Video Clip – Temple of Doom
– Louis Vuitton
• Orientalism
– Background (Notes)
– Orientalist Art
– Edward Said
• Taking a Perspective – 2nd Look
• HW – Read “The Old Chief Mshlanga” answer the questions on
another sheet of paper, and be prepared to discuss the ideas
Orientalism
• “Orient” refers to the East (Asia, Middle East,
Africa) as opposed to “Occident” or the West
(USA, England, France)
• Concept originated in the 19th century
• Began when Western writers translated
Eastern literature
– Theory: knowledge = power
• Colonialism fueled the Western image of “the
Orient”
What is “the Orient”?
• “The Orient” is a conceptual construct
• Created by, in relation to, and distinctly for the West
• The concept merges a myriad of distinct and unique
cultures, countries and continents into a single,
observable whole
• Promulgated by (Western) societies, governments,
writers, artists and the general public
• Developed into the common Western cultural
understanding of anything that is not Western
• Subsequently, Orientalism is the image of the 'Orient'
expressed as an entire system of thought and
scholarship
Orientalist Perceptions: Whereas the…
“Occident” is…
• Biologically superior
• Civilized
• Understandable
• Dynamic
• Powerful
• Masculine
• Reserved
• Intelligent
• Known
The “Orient” is…
• Inferior
• Uncivilized
• Peculiar
• Static
• Weak/Defenseless
• Feminine
• Savage (sexual)
• Unintelligent
• Unknown
In Lit and Art
• Orientalism became “the
norm” in literature and art:
• Often portrayed “Orientals” as
sexual, savage, promiscuous,
cunning or uncivilized
• Used vulnerability of Western
women to accentuate
Orientalist viewpoints
“Turkish Bath” – Ingres, 1862 
“The
Discussion” Rosati
“The Slave and the Lion” - Rochegrosse
“A New Light in the Harem” - Godall
“Pilgrims Going to Mecca” - Belly
“Odalisque and Slave Girl” - Ingres
Orientalism – Edward Said
•
•
•
•
Palestinian-American author
Taught at Colombia University
Published Orientalism in 1978
Believed the concept to be a
form of Western selfaffirmation, passive racism, and
a tool of imperialism
• Argues that the Orientalist
viewpoint is a lense through
which much of the West
continues to view the “Oriental”
world
Reading and Questions
• Read the clips from Said’s work and answer
the questions
Taking a 2nd Look
• Think back to the clip and pictures from the
beginning of class
• Keeping in mind what you now know about
“Orientalism”, what is your second impression
of them?
• Critically analyze these pieces through this
new lens
HW
• Read “The Old Chief Mshlanga” answer the
questions on another sheet of paper, and be
prepared to discuss the ideas
• Keep in mind your new understanding of
Orientalism as you read