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the ‘Orient’ (East). Said’s general definition of ‘Orientalism’ is: “A style of thought based upon an ontological and epistemological distinction made between the Orient and the Occident” (Moosavinia, 2003).

 

Both Hall (1992) and Said (1978) argue that the West established and promoted its supremacy and superiority by depicting the East as inferior, monolithic, and static. Bloom believes that the West assigns this sense of inferiority to others as a means of comparison between itself and others to see how they measure up. This line of thought is reinforced by Hall (1992), who refers to the relationship between the West and the East as a ‘discourse’ because it allows for comparison, classification, and evaluation. Thus the basis upon which the West formed its identity was through imperialism and modernism, which in turn made the East look inferior because of resistance to these trends.

 

The notion of Orientalism was proposed at a time of European dominance in the world, and as Hall touches on, exploration resulted in contact, conquests, the establishment of settlements and colonialisation.

 

These expeditions led to establishment of permanent contact between the West and the East and gradually Western ways, ideas, and philosophies flowed onto the East. As a result imperialism arose; along with this came machinery, trade, and money at the expense of clashing values, ideologies, and religious beliefs. Imperialism has led to the re-establishment of the Eastern world, whereby the West is exploiting them for resources.

 

The concept of difference by Hall (1992) and Said’s (1978) way of thinking implies that Western identity was formed by the help of the East. Said’s Orientalism demonstrates Hall’s idea that “the concept of difference is reflected in racial inferiority and ethnic superiority” (p.) Differences lie in, essentially, what the West makes of it. The differences between the two cultures have been built upon ethnocentrism and imperialism which has led to the idea that the West is superior and the East is inferior. This sense of superiority and inferiority is reinforced by the notion of a ‘Bifurcated World’, which suggests that neo-colonialism has allowed the West to think they know what is best for others, whereby they intervene and do it for them. As a result the West is able to indirectly (without having to occupy the country) apply power and influence the Eastern World.

 

Although Foucault never studied or spoke directly about Orientalism, his understanding of knowledge and power (knowledge is a tool for power) helped understand how the West formed stereotypes about the Orient through their perceived knowledge of it; a concept known as ‘discursive formations’.

 

Orientalism still exists, especially after the September 11 bombings. Islam is being interpreted as fanatical, violent, aggressive, ‘other’ world that needs to be controlled本论文由英语论文网提供整理，提供论文代写，英语论文代写，代写论文，代写英语论文，代写留学生论文，代写英文论文，留学生论文代写相关核心关键词搜索。