Summary of Edward W. Said's Orientalism

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book.

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#1 The choice of Oriental was canonical. It designated Asia or the East, geographically, morally, and culturally. It was used by Chaucer and Mandeville, by Shakespeare, Dryden, Pope, and Byron.

#2 The first theme that dominates Balfour’s speech is knowledge. He believes that by studying and understanding a civilization from its origins to its decline, you can gain authority over it and ultimately dominate it.

#3 Balfour’s speech is significant for the way in which he plays the part of and represents a variety of characters. He speaks for the English, the West, and the relatively small corps of colonial officials in Egypt.

#4 The most important thing about the theory was that it worked staggeringly well. The argument was clear, precise, and easy to grasp. There are Westerners, and there are Orientals. The former dominate; the latter must be dominated, which usually means having their land occupied and their blood and treasure put at the disposal of one or another Western power.

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Rafbók: 22 mars 2022