Edward Said’s Orientalism discusses the concept of Orientalism, and the concept of France, Britain, and America had completely changed the connotation of it due to the colonialism that occurred. Material that I found the most notable is the authors emphasis on Europe not being the true creators of Orientalism. Said states “Orientalism, therefore, is not an airy European fantasy about the Orient but a created body of theory and practice in which, for many rations, there has been a considerable material amount” (pg. 14). Orientalism is a variety of different topics, including politically, socially, and historically. The notion of change within Orientalism remains intact, even if the Europeans standards are not the same.

A particular passage that I’d like to linger upon is Said bringing the attention that nineteenth century authors about mirroring their “views on race and imperialism” (pg. 22) to their writings. Although their views on race and imperialism are subtle, and it could be chalked down to the times when it was written, but, that does not excuse it. An example being an author he mentions, Charles Dickens. David Cooperfield, written by the same author, does demonstrates hints of imperialism relating to the rich overtaking the poor. While subtle, there’s brief moments where it is talked about within the characters.

A question that I have for our next class meeting: Is how has British and French Colonialism affected the Middle East?