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Name: Dharaba Rayjada
Semester: 3
Roll No.: 8
Paper No.: 11 – Post – Colonial Literature
Enrolment No.: 2069108420180045
Email id: dharabarayjada021@gmail.com
Year: 2017-19
Submitted to: Department of English, Maharaja Krishnkumarsinhji Bhavnagar University.
What is Orientalism and Occidentalism?
In simple words, The representation of Asia, its people and culture, by western world is called Orientalism. The exaggerated view of East as a backward and uncivilized then the West. This stereotyped image of East, which is created by West is called Orientalism. The way West typically interpret East is noted by some of scholars and they are studying this branch of Orientalism. “Orientalism” is title of the book by Edward Said.
Occidentalism is a counter term of Orientalism. In this term it represents how East is defying West. Some scholars have researched about how East is looking towards West, its people and its culture. It shows the stereotypes which East have for West.
“Orientalism” by Edward Said
Edward Said has said in his interview with MIF that why he has ponder upon the Orientalism. First reason he has given that the Arab Israel war of 1973 and the second reason he has given that the same representation of east in every form of art. This typical presentation of east has make Said to think upon Orientalism. The same representation of any country of east from centuries. What is surprising to Said was that it was not the same as what it is actually the experience of living in east. The mind of western people are conditioned in such a way that they can not think of something else than that about east. From centuries they only have seen one image of Orient which is not quite real also.
Then he has given example of Napoleon and his power to create knowledge about a place. By this Said wants to say that the one who is creating all the same images of Orient has power and that is why the images are not changing from centuries. Then he has talked about the direct and indirect inventory of knowledge. The difference between the knowledge of Orient. The difference between the knowledge of Britain and US about Orient. Because one has direct experience of living in Orient while on the other hand there is no direct experience there was just an images and stories which people believe and started having certain prejudices about Orient.
Then he talked about what Orientalism today is, it is about the demonetizing of Islam. The image of Muslims which are created by news channels and media is showing only one thing that Muslims are terrorists. They are conditioned the mind lf people to fear Muslims. Said has also talked about the news channels which will show the video clips people are talking in Arabic language and the interpreter will say they are talking about destruction of America, and he said that if you really know the language you will find there is nothing like this.
He also emphasize that the attacks other than by Muslims are not highlighted. So what the media is doing is creating stereotypes of one identity. Not only news channels but movies also. Movies are also showing Muslim characters in that light of fear and terror only. He has said that he also used to enjoy “Arabian Nights” which is creation of Hollywood, showing Arab as a world of magic. What Said complaining about is the generalization which is made for whole Islam. He has asked that is the whole Arab is terrorist? There are terrorists as every where but there are millions of people who are innocent and same as other human beings. People don’t even question their common sense that all are not terrorists. This generalization is what creates fear and terror. He also has given the diversity in Muslims also that how different Muslims countries have different tradition, histories and stories. They also differ than how all Muslims can be terrorists.
Further he said on this that there is the part of Arabs which they are playing for keep these images of Arab as west have in their mind. Because they are not trying to give them any other information about their real self. Behind this he has also given another reason that most of Arab countries have dictatorship and not democracy. They need the parentage of US and that is why they don’t initiate debate with US and let westerners think them as inferior to them and the same image of terrorism which they have.
After that Said has given personal example about Oklahoma city bombing. He has said that after some time he started receiving calls and they are asking him about that bomb blast not because he has to do something with that blast but because he belongs to middle east. So people have generalized that he will know some thing about blast and forgets that he is also an American.
In solution of this he has talked about the inventory. Inventory lf history which make sense. Which can tell them at least some truth, or if not truth it can show the other side of the coin. At last he has talked about the Palestine. He says that we cant throw them out just because we have thrown out. The challenge which everyone is facing now is the co – existence. We can not co – exist with fear or by the feel of protect one self from other. So one must have to learn to think about others, they have to put themselves in the shoes of others. And that is how the world exists with peace.
At last he has said that, “I've been interested in a field called Comparative Literature most all of my adult life and the ideal of Comparative Literature is not to show how English literature is really a secondary phenomenon to French literature or Arabic literature is kind of a poor cousin to Persian literature or any of those silly things, but to show them existing, you might say, as contrapuntal lines, in a great composition by which difference is respected and understood without coercion. And it's that attitude I think that we need.”
“Occidentalism: The West in the Eyes of its Enemies”, by Ian Buruma and Avishai Margalit
In this book the authors are talking about the distorted image of west which has been created by its enemies. This image is the reason of hatred which west has from all around the world. To that they have called Occidentalism. It is said that it is misapprehension and they think west as modern where alienation and depression have. Also most of the people means terror same west means modern. They don’t consider both the things differently. Some may take modern s a meaning of dehumanization of inhuman act. They had talked about some stereotypes which people will have. That all rich people don’t have spirituality. That all white woman are not cheating and whore. That modern soldiers are not coward. They also have said that most of them who are opposing west because of modernity are afraid of modernity and liberalism. They take political freedom, religious tolerance, scientific reason, and individual rights as danger because it is not culturally connected, but west should not feel guilty for that. They at last says that we can not close our society to defend those who has closed theirs. It is right also. And after seeing this it seems that everyone also have some kind of stereotypes towards west.
Orientalism in Movies
“Slumdog Millionaire” is a 2008 drama film. The film was directed by Danny Boyle, written by Simon Beaufoy, and produced by Christian Colson. The problem with this movie is after o many years of independence and development still west want to see is the poor and crime thirsted east. The west wants to think east as poor only and that is why these all things are keep coming. The interesting thing is west wants to see east as inferior to them and that is why this movie also has that representation of east.
In other movie like “Munna Bhai M. B. B. S” where a person who is foreigner wants to take pictures of only poor India. This is what typical image which has been talked about others.
Next movie is “The Reluctant Fundamentalists.” Where we have seen the 9/11 attack and the changes which are faced by a particular person because he is Muslim. We can see how the footage of classroom are manipulated. The problems which hero has to face just because he belongs to particular identity is not good. They have arrested him for unnecessary reasons. They have interrogated for no reason. His identity has become as Pakistani and not just as a simple human being. We can see the condition of our hero that how much he suffers. He has always loved America but these things make you leave the job for which you have work so hard and the place which you loved the most.
We can clearly see that what Edward Said is saying is quite true that the same image of Orient is keep on comings.
Occidentalism in Movie
West in movies are shown as so modern or as a rotten culture. Here we have some examples.
“Queen” movie has portray a very good and bad image of Occident. It has been described as very beautiful places. The heroine after visiting west has lot of changes in her self though all are positive changes. The one thing was also has portrayed about which the book is talking about. The baby without marriage, single mother, prostitutions and the woman get ready to have intercourse with anyone.
Second is “Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya” portrays the freedom which woman gets in west but not in east. It also portrays the strict police system
Next is “Namastey London” which also represents that how western modernity is ruining the life of youngsters. The eastern values are best and west are not good.
Conclusion
After looking at all these things we can say that the knowledge which has been created about Occident or Orient both have lots of problems. It can not be changed so easily. Both the side of the earth should try to give new knowledge which is worth reading. It is necessary to have an experience of something before presenting anything to someone else. Both should have tried to change the perspective about each bother and both should accept the way they are. It will create strong bondage. One should try to Co – exists.
Resources
https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=792442
https://youtu.be/fVC8EYd_Z_g
Thank you.
Name: Dharaba Rayjada
Semester: 3
Roll No.: 8
Paper No.: 11 – Post – Colonial Literature
Enrolment No.: 2069108420180045
Email id: dharabarayjada021@gmail.com
Year: 2017-19
Submitted to: Department of English, Maharaja Krishnkumarsinhji Bhavnagar University.
What is Orientalism and Occidentalism?
In simple words, The representation of Asia, its people and culture, by western world is called Orientalism. The exaggerated view of East as a backward and uncivilized then the West. This stereotyped image of East, which is created by West is called Orientalism. The way West typically interpret East is noted by some of scholars and they are studying this branch of Orientalism. “Orientalism” is title of the book by Edward Said.
Occidentalism is a counter term of Orientalism. In this term it represents how East is defying West. Some scholars have researched about how East is looking towards West, its people and its culture. It shows the stereotypes which East have for West.
“Orientalism” by Edward Said
Edward Said has said in his interview with MIF that why he has ponder upon the Orientalism. First reason he has given that the Arab Israel war of 1973 and the second reason he has given that the same representation of east in every form of art. This typical presentation of east has make Said to think upon Orientalism. The same representation of any country of east from centuries. What is surprising to Said was that it was not the same as what it is actually the experience of living in east. The mind of western people are conditioned in such a way that they can not think of something else than that about east. From centuries they only have seen one image of Orient which is not quite real also.
Then he has given example of Napoleon and his power to create knowledge about a place. By this Said wants to say that the one who is creating all the same images of Orient has power and that is why the images are not changing from centuries. Then he has talked about the direct and indirect inventory of knowledge. The difference between the knowledge of Orient. The difference between the knowledge of Britain and US about Orient. Because one has direct experience of living in Orient while on the other hand there is no direct experience there was just an images and stories which people believe and started having certain prejudices about Orient.
Then he talked about what Orientalism today is, it is about the demonetizing of Islam. The image of Muslims which are created by news channels and media is showing only one thing that Muslims are terrorists. They are conditioned the mind lf people to fear Muslims. Said has also talked about the news channels which will show the video clips people are talking in Arabic language and the interpreter will say they are talking about destruction of America, and he said that if you really know the language you will find there is nothing like this.
He also emphasize that the attacks other than by Muslims are not highlighted. So what the media is doing is creating stereotypes of one identity. Not only news channels but movies also. Movies are also showing Muslim characters in that light of fear and terror only. He has said that he also used to enjoy “Arabian Nights” which is creation of Hollywood, showing Arab as a world of magic. What Said complaining about is the generalization which is made for whole Islam. He has asked that is the whole Arab is terrorist? There are terrorists as every where but there are millions of people who are innocent and same as other human beings. People don’t even question their common sense that all are not terrorists. This generalization is what creates fear and terror. He also has given the diversity in Muslims also that how different Muslims countries have different tradition, histories and stories. They also differ than how all Muslims can be terrorists.
Further he said on this that there is the part of Arabs which they are playing for keep these images of Arab as west have in their mind. Because they are not trying to give them any other information about their real self. Behind this he has also given another reason that most of Arab countries have dictatorship and not democracy. They need the parentage of US and that is why they don’t initiate debate with US and let westerners think them as inferior to them and the same image of terrorism which they have.
After that Said has given personal example about Oklahoma city bombing. He has said that after some time he started receiving calls and they are asking him about that bomb blast not because he has to do something with that blast but because he belongs to middle east. So people have generalized that he will know some thing about blast and forgets that he is also an American.
In solution of this he has talked about the inventory. Inventory lf history which make sense. Which can tell them at least some truth, or if not truth it can show the other side of the coin. At last he has talked about the Palestine. He says that we cant throw them out just because we have thrown out. The challenge which everyone is facing now is the co – existence. We can not co – exist with fear or by the feel of protect one self from other. So one must have to learn to think about others, they have to put themselves in the shoes of others. And that is how the world exists with peace.
At last he has said that, “I've been interested in a field called Comparative Literature most all of my adult life and the ideal of Comparative Literature is not to show how English literature is really a secondary phenomenon to French literature or Arabic literature is kind of a poor cousin to Persian literature or any of those silly things, but to show them existing, you might say, as contrapuntal lines, in a great composition by which difference is respected and understood without coercion. And it's that attitude I think that we need.”
“Occidentalism: The West in the Eyes of its Enemies”, by Ian Buruma and Avishai Margalit
In this book the authors are talking about the distorted image of west which has been created by its enemies. This image is the reason of hatred which west has from all around the world. To that they have called Occidentalism. It is said that it is misapprehension and they think west as modern where alienation and depression have. Also most of the people means terror same west means modern. They don’t consider both the things differently. Some may take modern s a meaning of dehumanization of inhuman act. They had talked about some stereotypes which people will have. That all rich people don’t have spirituality. That all white woman are not cheating and whore. That modern soldiers are not coward. They also have said that most of them who are opposing west because of modernity are afraid of modernity and liberalism. They take political freedom, religious tolerance, scientific reason, and individual rights as danger because it is not culturally connected, but west should not feel guilty for that. They at last says that we can not close our society to defend those who has closed theirs. It is right also. And after seeing this it seems that everyone also have some kind of stereotypes towards west.
Orientalism in Movies
“Slumdog Millionaire” is a 2008 drama film. The film was directed by Danny Boyle, written by Simon Beaufoy, and produced by Christian Colson. The problem with this movie is after o many years of independence and development still west want to see is the poor and crime thirsted east. The west wants to think east as poor only and that is why these all things are keep coming. The interesting thing is west wants to see east as inferior to them and that is why this movie also has that representation of east.
In other movie like “Munna Bhai M. B. B. S” where a person who is foreigner wants to take pictures of only poor India. This is what typical image which has been talked about others.
Next movie is “The Reluctant Fundamentalists.” Where we have seen the 9/11 attack and the changes which are faced by a particular person because he is Muslim. We can see how the footage of classroom are manipulated. The problems which hero has to face just because he belongs to particular identity is not good. They have arrested him for unnecessary reasons. They have interrogated for no reason. His identity has become as Pakistani and not just as a simple human being. We can see the condition of our hero that how much he suffers. He has always loved America but these things make you leave the job for which you have work so hard and the place which you loved the most.
We can clearly see that what Edward Said is saying is quite true that the same image of Orient is keep on comings.
Occidentalism in Movie
West in movies are shown as so modern or as a rotten culture. Here we have some examples.
“Queen” movie has portray a very good and bad image of Occident. It has been described as very beautiful places. The heroine after visiting west has lot of changes in her self though all are positive changes. The one thing was also has portrayed about which the book is talking about. The baby without marriage, single mother, prostitutions and the woman get ready to have intercourse with anyone.
Second is “Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya” portrays the freedom which woman gets in west but not in east. It also portrays the strict police system
Next is “Namastey London” which also represents that how western modernity is ruining the life of youngsters. The eastern values are best and west are not good.
Conclusion
After looking at all these things we can say that the knowledge which has been created about Occident or Orient both have lots of problems. It can not be changed so easily. Both the side of the earth should try to give new knowledge which is worth reading. It is necessary to have an experience of something before presenting anything to someone else. Both should have tried to change the perspective about each bother and both should accept the way they are. It will create strong bondage. One should try to Co – exists.
Resources
https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=792442
https://youtu.be/fVC8EYd_Z_g
Thank you.
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