September 29 – AP Lit

September 29 – AP Lit• Taking Perspective: Umuzungu Wambere• Taking a Perspective – 1st Look

– Video Clip – Temple of Doom– Louis Vuitton

• Orientalism– Background (Notes)– Orientalist Art– Edward Said

• Taking a Perspective – 2nd Look

• HW – Read “The Old Chief Mshlanga” answer the questions on another sheet of paper, and be prepared to discuss the ideas

Orientalism

• “Orient” refers to the East (Asia, Middle East, Africa) as opposed to “Occident” or the West (USA, England, France)

• Concept originated in the 19th century• Began when Western writers translated Eastern

literature– Theory: knowledge = power

• Colonialism fueled the Western image of “the Orient”

What is “the Orient”?• “The Orient” is a conceptual construct• Created by, in relation to, and distinctly for the West• The concept merges a myriad of distinct and unique cultures,

countries and continents into a single, observable whole• Promulgated by (Western) societies, governments, writers,

artists and the general public• Developed into the common Western cultural understanding

of anything that is not Western• Subsequently, Orientalism is the image of the 'Orient'

expressed as an entire system of thought and scholarship

Orientalist Perceptions: Whereas the…

“Occident” is…• Biologically superior• Civilized• Understandable• Dynamic• Powerful• Masculine• Reserved• Intelligent• Known

The “Orient” is…• Inferior• Uncivilized• Peculiar• Static• Weak/Defenseless• Feminine• Savage (sexual)• Unintelligent• Unknown

In Lit and Art• Orientalism became “the

norm” in literature and art:• Often portrayed “Orientals” as

sexual, savage, promiscuous, cunning or uncivilized

• Used vulnerability of Western women to accentuate Orientalist viewpoints

“Turkish Bath” – Ingres, 1862

“The Discussion” -

Rosati

“The Slave and the Lion” - Rochegrosse

“A New Light in the Harem” - Godall

“Pilgrims Going to Mecca” - Belly

“Odalisque and Slave Girl” - Ingres

Orientalism – Edward Said

• Palestinian-American author• Taught at Colombia University• Published Orientalism in 1978• Believed the concept to be a form of

Western self-affirmation, passive racism, and a tool of imperialism

• Argues that the Orientalist viewpoint is a lense through which much of the West continues to view the “Oriental” world

Reading and Questions

• Read the clips from Said’s work and answer the questions

Taking a 2nd Look

• Think back to the clip and pictures from the beginning of class

• Keeping in mind what you now know about “Orientalism”, what is your second impression of them?

• Critically analyze these pieces through this new lens

HW

• Read “The Old Chief Mshlanga” answer the questions on another sheet of paper, and be prepared to discuss the ideas

• Keep in mind your new understanding of Orientalism as you read