"Orientlalism" - The Key Text

Now I have defined Orientalism, I aim to examine Said’s key theoretical text, ‘Orientalism’, (first published in 1978). I have incorporated discussion within a study group in order to challenge and consolidate my own research.

Said used his support of ‘discourse’ theory (introduced by French philosopher Michel Foucault) to explain his Orientalist views within the text (Said 1995, p3). Discourse refers to the information we receive which makes up an ideology of beliefs (Wetherell et al 2001, p.1). For example, the stereotypical attitudes of the East have been created through cultural history and therefore, are internalized as ‘normal’ beliefs that are acceptable within Western society. 

Said’s dedication to the Marxist belief, “They cannot represent themselves, they must be represented” (Marx 2008, p.124) suggests the important role the book plays quashing the misconceptions formed by the West. The quote suggests an Orientalist unity and personal responsibility to fight the aforementioned stereotypes.

Said repeatedly emphasizes the binaries created between the East and West (Said 1995, pp.1, 12). He believes the epitome of the Orientalist concept is “based upon an ontological and epistemological distinction made between ‘the Orient’ and [most of the time] ‘the Occident” (Said 1995, p.2) (the Occident referring to the West).

The textual structure outlines the key concepts of his theory, before explaining the potential future of Orientalism (Said 1995, pp. 201-202). Said (1995, p. 206) defines the difference between what is known as ‘latent’ and ‘manifest’ Orientalism. ‘Latent’ refers to the “almost unconscious (and certainly untouchable) positivity” of the stereotypical East (Said 1995, p. 206). For example, the beliefs about the East are almost certain to remain the same in the future. They are considered to be the “unanimity, stability, and durability”(Said 1995, p.206) or truths of the East. However, ‘Manifest Orientalism’ refers to “whatever change occurs in knowledge of the Orient” (Said 1995, p.206). This could relate to the appearance, language or artistic assumptions of the East. Manifest Orientalism remains to be the hope of the Orientalist in altering these stereotypes because as culture changes, often people’s attitudes also change.