Orientalism: A Critique
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29070/81jg9s91Keywords:
Orientalism, Edward Said, post-colonial studies, discourse and power, latent and manifest Orientalism, EurocentrismAbstract
According to Edward Said's 1978 book Orientalism, Western understanding of the Orient is a discourse that is inextricably linked to the Occident's political and imperial dominance over the Orient rather than a neutral body of knowledge. This essay summarizes Said's main points on the construction of the Orient, the distinction between hidden and obvious Orientalism, and the divide between political and pure knowledge. The main criticisms of Said's thesis from Aijaz Ahmad, James Clifford, Dennis Porter, Valerie Kennedy, and Tripta Wahi are then examined, raising concerns about its theoretical foundation, historical exclusions, and political ramifications. Despite these serious concerns, the text ends with orientalism, which is a fundamental component of both post-colonial studies & cultural studies.
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References
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