Orientalism
Orientalism by Edward W. Said, published by Penguin in 2003 as a 25th Anniversary edition, offers a comprehensive examination of Western perceptions of the East. This 396-page work delves into the historical and ideological constructs that shape Western attitudes towards Eastern cultures, customs, and beliefs. Said argues that Orientalism serves as a significant European creation, influencing writers, philosophers, and colonial administrators in their portrayal of the ‘otherness’ associated with the East.
Readers will find a critical analysis that traces these perceptions through the works of notable figures such as Homer, Nerval, Flaubert, Disraeli, and Kipling. Said’s insights reflect his own experiences as an Arab Palestinian in the West, providing a unique perspective on how these literary and cultural representations relate to broader themes of imperialism and racism. The book engages with subjects such as history, social science, and ethnic studies, making it a thought-provoking exploration of human geography and the complexities of cultural identity.
Official synopsis Publisher
In this highly acclaimed work, Edward Said surveys the history and nature of Western attitudes towards the East, considering Orientalism as a powerful European ideological creation – a way for writers, philosophers and colonial administrators to deal with the ‘otherness’ of eastern culture, customs and beliefs. He traces this view through the writings of Homer, Nerval and Flaubert, Disraeli and Kipling, whose imaginative depictions have greatly contributed to the West’s romantic and exotic picture of the Orient. Drawing on his own experience as an Arab Palestinian living in the West, Said examines how these ideas can be a reflection of European imperialism and racism.
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