Orientalism by Edward W. Said

A classic helpful nowby timh

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August 17, 2009: This is the classic (originally published in 1978) work analyzing the origins and pervasiveness of Western attidtudes toward and beliefs (mostly misfounded) about the "Orient", principally the Middle East. Said himself, a professor at Columbia, was raised in Lebanon, a Protestant Arab, so from a minority of a minority. He draws on histories, traveloges, memoirs, fictions, government reports, religious documents, philosophical works, every possible source - virtually all Western. He says: "My contention is that Orientalism is fundamentally a political doctrine willed over the Orient becazuse the Orient was weaker than the West, whcih elided the Orient's difference with its weakness." He finds the origins in colonialism and imperialism and makes a compelling argument. My principal complaints are that he does not provide much by way of an alternative interpretation and does not even spend more than a couple of pages referencing alternative sources, particularly indiginous sources by Arab writers- one is left with the feeling that there aren't any.

I Also Recommend: Resistance.

Orientalism an Analysis which in turn for me clarifies Colonialismby DancingPalmtrees

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May 31, 2009: Orientalism

Edward W. Said

I am enjoyed and Loved reading this book and I learned quite a bit. I understand the idea that the subject/topic Orientalism is a European created concept designed to promote the notion of European superiority and the supposed backwardness of Arabs. Much akin to the ideas Europeans used to push out Native Americans and enslave African Americans. The two experiences are different yet there is some common ground.

The first 120 pages were fairly simply to understand and grasp. At first I did not have trouble understanding the book but after page 123 I began to have some difficulty. Some of Dr. Said's vocabulary and terminologies are very advanced almost like the late William F. Buckley. However Dr. Said and Mr. Buckley would definitely disagree. The two of them would make a great debate.

The book is divided into three chapters. The first chapter lays the base or the foundation for the misconception of Orientalism, which I got. Chapter or Part Two discusses individual practioners or founders of Orientalism which I found more difficult to understand. Not having a full grasp of Middle-East history or European Colonialism made it harder for me to follow, however I plan to re-read this chapter or perhaps read other of Dr. Said's works.

Chapter Three deals with the consequences or outcomes of Orientalist thought and practice on modern relations with Arab countries. This I completely understand and had a good grasp of what Dr. Said was talking about. I look forward to reading more of Dr. Edward W. Said's books.