9/20/07

Orientalism? In these? never... ;)

I don't know about anybody else, but I definitely see orientalist tendencies popping up all over in these pieces, except for the one by Dallam. In all the others there is a palpable "us v. them" attitude that taints every observation, turns every moment of praise into a double edged sword of commentary on England. Also, the last two pieces, especially the piece by Bashaw, have such a touch of the remarkable as to call into question the reliability of the information that is not couched in religious disgust or backhanded compliments. I can't think of anything else to write right now, but I may edit this tomorrow to include more.


peace

1 comment:

Mary Jo Kietzman said...

I agree that some of the authors "other" or objectify the cultures and peoples they encounter with stereotypes. In accounts where this seems to be happening, try to look for contradictions -- moments where the authors look with their own eyes instead of through their biases. Also, Edward Said, himself, admits that his ideas about orientalism as a discourse are applicable to representations of "the East" from the mid-18th century forward. At this early point in time, the English were not the superior military or economic power. I would suggest more detail in your formal post.