Orientalism Paper 1

Karen Molina
Orientalism and Occidentalism
Professor Metcalf
Spring 2009

Through out history, as Europeans explored lands beyond their borders, labeling of these new areas occurred. Among these various labels, the Orient, developed in Western Asia to describe the region. Due to imperialist nations, this word has spread to describe the people of Eastern Asia and is currently used by the Western world to describe that area. Edward Said, the author of book Orientalism, discusses this topic and argues that the term divides the East from the West. The Orient was viewed as a mysterious region where people have certain way of life that is not common to the West.
As imperial powers conquered new lands and became exposed to the cultures of the East, the difference seen while in those lands began the separation between East and West. Imperial leaders, such as Napoleon of France, used scholarly writings of the Eastern world to understand about Egypt before conquering it. Having an understanding of the land prior entering it, served as an advantage to the military tactic while invading. The information he acquired, as most who wanted to learn about the East, was through a Western perspective. The question about whether or not the information was valid and a first hand account was skeptical. For example, Zachary Lockman states in his book that “the French saw themselves as bringing science and civilization to the benighted Orient, and so a team of scholars and scientists accompanied Napoleon’s forces to Egypt.” (Lockman 2004, 71) These scholars studied the land, the culture, and lifestyle of these foreign lands which was included in their writings. It was their perspective of the land and of the people which was then read by the people of the West. This spread of information added to the division of the cultures and reinforced the term Orient.
In his book, Said argues that the term Orient(alism) was developed during the imperialism era and was used to describe what the invading foreigners encountered in the East. He used the term Orientalism to describe a tradition, which was developed both through scholarly writings and artistic creations. These means of representation developed hostile and inferior views of the East by the West that have shaped our views in the present day. (Said 1978, 42) Said, also argues that this prejudice comes from and was developed by the West. Due to the differences a sense of inferiority towards the East has progressed over the centuries and can be seen in the stereotypes that we have today of the people of the East. If the term Orient did not exist, then perhaps the link between the East and West would not be what it is today.
To understand the beginning of the term Orient, the time when knowledge of the region spread must be examined. The Oriental renaissance described by Lockman is said to have begun in the 19th century due to imperialistic expansion and secured political dominion of various regions of the Orient. Prior to the 19th century, only a few scholars had been familiar with the history, cultures, and religions of the Orient, but due to the contact with the east this changed. Many scholars began incorporating aspects of the Orient into their writings, paintings, and knowledge by learning the different languages. An example is the German poet, Wolfgang von Goethe, who produced work that dealt mostly on Muslim imagery and themes. (Lockman 2004, 68-70) Lockman describes this time frame as an obsession of scholars with the Orient. Due to the different lifestyles and the unique qualities not seen in the west made the Orient a mysterious subject. It is human nature, especially as a scholar, to want to know about something that is not common in the norms of the society they live in.
The incorporation of the Orient in scholarly works led to increased knowledge of the region but also reinforced the stereotypes of Islamic society that had developed in previous years. When thinking of the East, the most controversial region, especially in our time is the Middle East. Since the encounter with this region stereotypes flourished due to the different lifestyle and religion. Examples include the view of Muslim men as “violent, lusty and sexually perverse” and women as “oppressed, subjugated, little more than slaves, constantly available for the erotic gratification of oversexed men.” (Lockman 2004, 69-70) These are from a Western view, without taking into account that the people who live by these norms do not have the same opinion. The West compares cultures and gives none a chance at being a normal lifestyle.
When thinking of the Middle East, one has to mention the obsession with and determination to understand the harem system that occurred within upper class society. The harem, according to Lockman, was a common fascination to many artists who assembled offensive paintings without any first hand contact with one. The mystery, the polygamous action within, and the seclusion of the harem made it a topic that was portrayed through imagination. Paintings of harems include Odalisque with a Slave by J.A.D. Ingres 1839-1840 and The Hhareem by John Frederick Lewis 1849. (Beaulieu & Roberts 2002) Ingres, in his painting, develops scenery of a slave whom is part of a harem living with wives and concubines. It is a revealing painting much like others that were developed during that time of women without clothes. No woman of high standing, who are prominent in harems, would have taken part in such act hence most painting were developed through the imagination or with the use of lower class women. Once photography emerged, a new era of Oriental exposure occurred as people could perform at the photographers request. The use of models gave photograph the life and further credibility to the harem system as well as the veiled woman.
The Colonial Harem is a collection of photographs that were printed on postcards and circulated by the French from 1900 to 1930. These photographs of Algerian women were exploited by the French and show an effect that European presence had on the women of the society. It also proves the European fascination with the harem system. These models, both covered and uncovered, were used to display a glimpse of a conservative eastern society. I find it disturbing how photographers could uncover women from a society that is strongly conservative. It also disturbs me how people could use these postcards and write to loved ones or acquaintances on them. Through these postcards the life of an Algerian woman is not only uncovered in all aspects but it is wrongfully displayed to the satisfaction of the photographer. Through these photographs the people of France saw a glimpse of what they thought was the culture of Algerian people.
The term Orientalism has developed through a vast time of history and no matter how against people may be, it has left its mark on the Western world. When describing the Eastern lands, we do not say “the East” but define it as the Orient. Created by the West and used by the West, this term left the East with no choice but to be known by it. Edward Said’s book discusses this term and how it has divided the areas of the world which makes the reader think whether or not it is appropriate. Every area in the world is labeled and through its constant use, they are hard to remove.