Jan 8-9 – Orientalism

Agenda:• Pair-Share• Orientalism Notes• Video: Said on Orientalism

• Orientalist Art & Discussion

• Perspective – 2nd Look

Take Out:• Pen/Pencil• Notebook• “Orientalism” Reading

Homework:• Read “…Kidnapping our People” and take notes on the given topics – Packet pg. 1-7

Pair-Share• How is Orientalism related to the study of Literature?

Orientalism• From the Latin “Orion” meaning “East”• Originally referred to Asian countries that lay East along

trade routes from Europe• “Orient” came to refer to the ‘East’ (Asia, Middle East,

Africa, Oceania) as opposed to/ in relation to the “Occident” or the ‘West’ (USA, England, France)

• Western fascination with the East began with the Crusades (1096-1271)

• Concept of “the Orient” as a designation of a place/people originated in the 19th century

• 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/Mystical• Static• Weak/Defenseless• Feminine• Savage (sexual)• Unintelligent• Unknown

Video: Said on Orientalism• As you watch the following video, complete the assigned

worksheet

• This video is pieced together from an interview with Edward Said

• He uses the American Orientalist perspective to make his points, and uses the perspective of Arabs specifically

In Lit and Art• Orientalism became “the norm”

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

“Oriental” influences as sexual, savage, promiscuous, cunning or “uncivilized”

• Used vulnerability of Western women to accentuate Orientalist viewpoints

“Turkish Bath” – Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres – 1862 – France

Orientalism in Literature• Began with travelogues written by Westerners

• Expressed the mysticism and romanticism of visited lands• Introduced the “savage” and “noble savage”

• “Translated” works increased interest & inspired writers• Koran, Mahabharata, Arabian Nights• Translation allowed for interpretation

• Writers used the Orient as a location for romance and adventure• Mined texts and travelogues for “details• Placed Western heroes in a foreign/dangerous setting

• Orient became associated with lush landscapes, eroticism, mystery, rich costume, and fierce military campaigns

“The Slave and the Lion” – George Rochegrosse – 1882 – France

“A New Light in the Harem” – Frederick Goodall – 1884 – England

“Odalisque and Slave” – Ingres – 1839 – France

Said’s Orientalism• Discuss your homework with your group… was there

anything that you were confused about?• Use the notes that you just took, and the knowledge of

your peers, to fill in any missing information

• Is there anything that we need to cover or clarify as a class?

Taking a 2nd Look• Think back to the clip from Indiana Jones, and the Luis

Vuitton Ads.• Keeping in mind what you now know about “Orientalism”,

what is your second impression of them?• Critically analyze these pieces through this new lens

Heart of Darkness• Published in serial form in1898 by Joseph

Conrad (1857-1924)• Born Jozef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski in

the Polish Ukraine• Traveled to Marseilles when he was

seventeen to work as a sailor• Signed on to an English ship in 1878• Became a British subject in 1886• Began writing in 1889• Took command of a steamship in the Belgian

Congo in 1890, which provided the inspiration for his best-known work; Heart of Darkness

Background on the Belgian Congo (Homework)

• Read “The Traders are Kidnapping our People” and take notes as you go• This is the Prologue to the book King Leopold’s Ghost

Main Ideas to take notes on (generally in the order that you will encounter the information in the text):• European ideas about Africa• Cao’s discovery• The Congo and the Kongo• The ManiKongo• Slavery in the Congo, and the expansion thereof• Affonso• Foreign impact on the Congo/Kongo• Oral History of European/Native African encounters• Physical information and Geography of the Congo (region and river)• Tuckey’s Expedition