Orientalism and its Effects on Today’s Society essay
Orientalism is a unique concept that has been widely discussed in academic literature. Orientalism can be characterized as a positive concept that highlights the role of the Orient in the life of the West (Said 203). Academic specialists involved in the study of the Orient are called Orientalists. Orientalism requires specific knowledge of people, places and civilizations (Said 203). The study of Orientalism provides an opportunity to have a better understanding of the West’s views regarding the Arab and Islamic world. As Orientalists are focused on the study of ancient traditions and customs and artistic representation of the Orient in Western world, this paper will provide much important information on the effects of Orientalism on our society (Diken et al. 26). It is necessary to take into consideration the fact that the meaning of the term “Orientalism” has been changed. Today, it is no more a style of thought, but it is a powerful ideology that helps to assess the distinctions between East and West (Diken et al. 26). The study of oriental influences on various aspects of today’s society highlights the significance of religious concepts, namely Asian religious traditions. Thesis statement: The continuing effects that Orientalism has on today’s society include the effects on attitudes, image and knowledge reflected in different social activities, such as art, literature, music, political decisions and gender politics.
The major goal of this paper is to discuss orientalism and the continuing effects that it has on today’s society. The study will be narrowed down to one country – the United States. To achieve the established goal, it is necessary to discuss a number of issues, such as the background information about Orientalism, the key definitions of the term, some facts from the history of Orientalism, and American Orientalism and its effects on American Society.
Orientalism: Background Information
In order to explore Orientalism and its effects on today’s society, it is necessary to define the meaning of Orientalism and analyze some facts from its long history. Orientalism is represented not only as Western ideology, but also as an academic discipline and as a literary motif. As a result, the concept of Orientalism is associated with prejudices (Kontje 56)
Defining Orientalism
Orientalism is a controversial concept that can be defined in different ways. First, the term “orientalism” can be defined as an “ideology, a set of prejudices that bolster a sense of European superiority over the East and thus implicitly or explicitly legitimate imperialism and colonialism, the exploitation of subjugated people deemed culturally or racially inferior to the dominant culture” (Kontye 56). Second, the term “orientalism” refers to the discipline, which involves the study of Eastern culture, religions, traditions and languages (Kontye 56). Third, the term “orientalism” is represented as a theme in literature and art (Kontye 56).
Some Facts from the History of Orientalism
Orientalism was originated as the so-called “western construction of knowledge about peoples in the Middle East and Asia” that was established in during colonialism (Merryfield & Subedi 288). Today Orientalism continues to influence various aspects of human life. The history of Orientalism is long and colorful. After the discovery of America at the end of the 15-th century, the sea route was opened to India. The development of new economic relations was marked by the development of Orientalism as a philosophical thought.
In addition, in the 19-th century the term “Orientalism” was effectively used to characterize the features of the genre of painting. In fact, this genre was promoted by French and British artists who described the Orient in their art works, including the themes of the Middle Eastern traditions. According to historians, the works of Orientalists embraced oriental expression and inspiration, which were reflected in the cross-cultural influences of artists (Merryfield & Subedi 285). The popularity of Indian, Chinese and Japanese traditions was reflected in textiles, ceramics, furniture and unique architecture styles. Although Said managed to reinterpret these influences by developing his radical theory, the representations of the East affected social life of people living in the West (Merryfield & Subedi 285).
Moreover, the effects of Orientalism had different forms depending on different cultures involved in the Orientalist influences. According to Said, the discourse of Orientalism can be described as “basically homogeneous” (Burke & Prochaska 22). Said claims “Orientalism is the corporate institution for dealing with the Orient -dealing with it by making statements about it, authorizing views of it, describing it, by teaching it, settling it, ruling over it: in short, orientalism as a Western style for dominating, restructuring, and having authority over the Orient” (Said 3). American Orientalism reflects Said’s claim because it is based on the idea of domination of the West and its influence on the East.
The Continuing Effects that Orientalism has on today’s Society
According to researchers, Orientalism was originated in colonial period, but today it “continues to shape attitudes, images and knowledge” (Merryfield & Subedi 288). A well-known Orientalist Edward W. Said placed emphasis on the use of specific methods of teaching, which could help to “overcome orientalist thinking through contrapuntal (a term from music meaning characterized by counterpoint) literature and histories that create new understandings and knowledge” (Merryfield & Subedi 288). As a matter of fact, the themes, which reveal Orientalism and its traditions, are persistent in today’s society. Many researchers are based on the argumentation regarding the differences between the cultural aspects of East and West (Diken & Laustsen 26). One of the arguments that provide explanation to the major causes of the continuing effects that Orientalism has on today’s society is that the “relationship between the West and the Orient is not merely one of a difference between two elements within the same space” (Diken & Laustsen 26). The Orient can be explained as a space which does not provide difference between the political and the social. According to researchers, “the Orient is constituted as a fantasy space that both conditions and escapes the social” (Diken & Laustsen 26). In other words, the Orient is associated with human desires because fantasy produces desires.
Said criticizes Western Orientalism because it reflects many trends found in Asian works of art created by Indian, Chinese, and Japanese artists and writers (Said 60). In the 20-th century, various Western cultural themes were found in Asian art and culture. Besides, Orientalism shaped cinema, theater, photography and music.
The Effects of Orientalism on Attitudes
Orientalism has a strong impact on literary genres in western literature. These effects are reflected in attitudes of both the reader and the author. For example, the Arabian Nights helps to explore the significance of complex relationships between men and women. According to Abdulla Al-Dabbagh, “many studies of the impact of the Arabian Nights on literature, literary criticism and literary thinking have been done”(30). Most of these studies highlight the effects of Orientalism on attitudes of readers.
The Effects of Orientalism on Images
Orientalism has a strong impact on the images that can be found in art and literature. According to researchers, some aspects of Orientalism as the concept and practice have direct relation to analysis of the images associated with the Orient (Abdulla Al-Dabbagh 30). Many Orientalist images describe the contribution of women to social development. Based on the works of Orientalist artists, such as Henriette Browne and others, and the literary works of many authors, such as Jorge Eliot and others, it is possible to “challenge masculinist assumptions relating to the stability and homogeneity of the Orientalist gaze” (Lewis 1). It has been found that the images of women were not perceived as the images of men because of the effects of male position of Western dominance. Orientalism helped to highlight racial differences that existed in human society (Rotter 1206). The relationships between men and women were influenced by race and gender positions. Researchers state that “women’s visual and literary Orientalism” was found in the images produced by writers and artists (Lewis 1). As a matter of fact, women’s involvement in Orientalism contributed to the overall understanding of the effects of Orientalism on the images found on the works of art and literature (Lewis 1).
The Effect of Orientalism on Knowledge
The effect of Orientalism on knowledge is crucial to the understanding of some political and philosophical concepts associated with the Orient. According to Abdel Malek, one of the types of Orientalism can be characterized as “collaborating with colonial powers” (qtd. in Netton 261). Actually, Abdel Malek gives explanation to the phenomenon created by Orientalism. This phenomenon is based on gathering the proper information regarding different nations that could be dominated by other nations (Netton 261). In other words, Orientalism was found in the structure of Western sciences during the penetration of imperialism into human society (Rotter 1206). Recent studies point out to the fact that Orientalism is in crisis today because of the “rise of national liberation movements, which brought an end to the age of colonial domination” (Netton 261). As Orientalist views are considered to be the tools of colonialism, the effects of these views on knowledge are enormous.
American Orientalism and its effects on American Society
The Nature of American Orientalism
The effects of Orientalism on American society established foundation for interactions between American people and Asian people. Some researchers state that Orientalism is over, but its effects on society point out to the fact it is far from over. The debate over orientalism continues in the United States, especially after the events of 9/11. According to researchers, “in many ways it has just begun” (Burke & Prochaska 1). In American society, Orientalism is represented as an academic discipline, which is based on philosophical views regarding the Asian culture and languages. The practice of Orientalist ideas links culture and power, providing a wide range of examples in American society associated with the philosophical thought of the Middle East (Burke & Prochaska 1). According to researchers, “their special properties miraculously filter out historical context and complexity, the better to spotlight the supposedly essential cultural features of Middle Eastern culture”(Burke & Prochaska 1). The concept of Orientalism in American society has been shaped by Said’s paradigms regarding the relationship between the West and the East. In general, the roots of Orientalism in the United States are associated with the attitudes, beliefs and values of the immigrants who came from Europe to North America in the late 16-th century –early 17-th century (Leong 7). Most European immigrants had their individual views about the Eastern philosophy characterizes the Eastern civilization as “more decadent, exotic, and immoral” (Leong 7). These attitudes, beliefs and values were included in the philosophies of European empires, such as France, Germany and Britain. These nations provided many justifications of the dominant positions in the global context, explaining their dominance by their more civilizing missions. In general, these Orientalist views were developed in the United States, incorporating the concept of Orientalism in different aspects of social life (Leong 7).
American Orientalism was built on the philosophical thought of European Orientalism. However, European Orientalism reflected negative attitudes toward the Asian people and the Orient in general. American Orientalism “took a form specific to and supportive of the United States’ emerging role as a world-wide moral and economic force” (Leong 7). It has been found that Orientalist views were very popular in the United States, reflecting not only cultural perceptions and expressions, but also religious aspects and economic issues (Rotter 1206). The Orientalist views were found in the functioning of missionaries, diplomacy, business organizations, as well as the media (Leong 7). According to researchers, the interests of missionaries, diplomacy, business organizations were marked by the role of the U.S. involvement in different religious and economic issues, while many Asian countries, such as China and Japan, lacked the proper economic and religious development, and required considerable changes through the conversion to Christianity and the growth of Capitalism (Leong 7).
Orientalism and its Effects on Today’s Society essay part 2
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