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Digvijay Pandya, Lovely Professional University Unit 19: Two Types of Orientalism—Orientalism as a Literary Theory

Unit 19: Two Types of Orientalism—Orientalism as a Notes
Literary Theory

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
19.1 Meaning of the Term
19.2 History of Orientalism
19.3 Orientalism in the Arts
19.4 Latent and Manifest Orientalism
19.5 Literary Theory and Children's Literature
19.6 Summary
19.7 Key-Words
19.8 Review Questions
19.9 Further Readings

Objectives
After reading this Unit students will be able to:
• Understand Orientalism.
• Explain two Types of Orientalism.
• Discuss Orientalism as a Literary Theory.

Introduction

Orientalism is the study of Near and Far Eastern societies and cultures, languages and peoples by
Western scholars. It can also refer to the imitation or depiction of aspects of Eastern cultures in the
West by writers, designers and artists.
In the former meaning the term Orientalism has come to acquire negative connotations in some
quarters and is interpreted to refer to the study of the East by Westerners shaped by the attitudes
of the era of European imperialism in the 18th and 19th centuries. When used in this sense, it
implies old-fashioned and prejudiced outsider interpretations of Eastern cultures and peoples.
This viewpoint was most famously articulated and propagated by Edward Said in his controversial
1978 book Orientalism, which was critical of this scholarly tradition and of modern scholars
including Princeton University professor Bernard Lewis.
Orientalism is a term used by art historians, literary and cultural studies scholars for the imitation
or depiction of aspects of Middle Eastern, and East Asian cultures (Eastern cultures) by American
and European writers, designers and artists. In particular, Orientalist painting, depicting more
specifically "the Middle East", was one of the many specialisms of 19th century Academic art.
Since the publication of Edward Said's Orientalism, the term has arguably acquired a negative
connotation.

19.1 Meaning of the Term

"Orientalism" refers to the Orient or East, in contrast to the Occident or West, and often, as seen by
the West.

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