Postcolonial Identity · English Literature

What is 'Orientalism' as defined by Edward Said?

  1. A genuine scholarly love for Eastern spices, art, and textiles
  2. A Western discourse for dominating and having authority over the Orient
  3. The rigorous scientific study of the Far East conducted by Eastern scholars
  4. The systematic geographical mapping and surveying of Asia
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Correct answer: A Western discourse for dominating and having authority over the Orient

Said argues that the 'Orient' is a Western construction. This academic and artistic discourse created a set of stereotypes — the 'mysterious' or 'savage' East — that served to justify European colonial expansion and maintain cultural hegemony.

Difficulty: Medium Question 19 of 20

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