This image is actually on the cover of Edward Said's "Orientalism." This image embodies many stereotypes about the East. As you can see, a snake is wrapped around the boy, and next to him is a man meant to represent a snake charmer. There is also the element of mystery shown by the floating object in the background. Said here is simply displaying many images that come to mind when a Westerner thinks of the East. Even the clothes of the men in the background are ones which are associated with the East.
As Erin noted in her entry, Europeans loved to romanticize the idea of an exotic East. This picture is a perfect example of the way Europeans (especially men) viewed the women of the "mysterious Orient." While this woman is fully clothed, her attire is not typical of a European woman, and so is seen as exotic, like the area she is intended to be representing. The way women were viewed in the East only contributes to the lack of respect that the West had for the countries they so blindly grouped together. The idea that all of these Eastern countries are alike is simply ridiculous , as we know they each have very different cultures. This image represents for me that lack of respect and knowledge about things unknown or things categorized as "the other."
1 comment:
I think is is also worth taking a look at this woman's body position. If this woman is meant to represent something about the Orient,it seems as though the body language would suggest weakness or vulnerability. She looks like a "maiden in distress" or a very delicate woman who is about to faint. This may represent a western opinon on the weakness of the Orientals against imperialism or colonization. This opinion has little backing as the east is tipically extremely independent.
Post a Comment