International Journal of Language & Literature

A Critique of Edward Said's Orientalism as a Source Text for Postcolonial Approaches to Literature
Dr. Mohammed Ahmad Ameen Al-shamiri

Abstract
In this paper, I will examine and evaluate Edward Said's Orientalism, published in 1978. Orientalism is a seminal text for understanding postcolonial approaches to literature. Many major theorists and critics have acknowledged the importance of Said's work in shaping and defining the postcolonial field. For instance, Homi Bhaba argues that, Orientalism ‘inaugurated the postcolonial field'. Gaytri Spivak views Orientalismas the 'source book in our discipline'. Keeping the centrality of the text in mind, I shall first try to understand Said's Orientalism and then try to analyze the arguments and methodology of Said both with reference to the criticisms forwarded by other critics as well as my own ideas.

Full Text: PDF      DOI: 10.15640/ijll.v4n1a32