orient

is a system of representations framed by a whole set of forces that brought the orient into western learning, western consciousness, and later, western empire. It is a not an unlimited extension beyond the familiar european world, but rather a closed field, a theatrical stage affixed to europe.

The Orient that appears in Orientalism, then, is a system of representations framed by a whole set of forces that brought the Orient into Western learning, Western consciousness, and later, Western empire. . . . The Orient is the stage on which the whole East is confined. On this stage will appear the figures whose role it is to represent the larger whole from which they emenate. The Orient then seems to be, not an unlimited extension beyond the familiar European world, but rather a closed field, a theatrical stage affixed to Europe. Edward Said

is, according to the western expert, unable to represent itself. Evidence of the orient was credible only after it had passed through and been made firm by the refining fire of the orientalist's work.

The Orient and Islam have a kind of extrareal, phenomenologically reduced status that puts them out of reach of everyone except the Western expert. From the beginning of Western speculation about the Orient, the one thing th orient could not do was to represent itself. Evidence of the Orient was credible only after it had passed through and been made firm by the refining fire of the Orientalist's work. Edward Said

is, togther with the concept of the West, without ontological stability. Each is made up of human effort, partly affirmation, partly identification of the other.

I emphasize in it [my Orientalism] accordingly that neither the term Orient nor the concept of the West has any ontological stability... each is made up of human effort, partly affirmation, partly identification of the Other. Edward Said

is neither a cultural, religious, or linguistic unity, nor a unified world. The principle of its identity lies outside itself: What endows it with some vague sense of unity is that the orient is that which is excluded and objectified by the west in the service of its historical progress. From the outset, the orient is a shadow of the west. If the west did not exist. The orient would not exist either.

Meanwhile, Takeuchi points out, the Orient does not connote anyinternal commonality among the names subsumed under it... it rangesfrom regions in the Middle East to those in the Far East. One canhardly find anything religious, linguistic, or cultural that is commonamong those varied areas. The Orient is neither a cultural, religious,or linguistic unity, nor a unified world. The principle of its identitylies outside itself: what endows it with some vague sense of unity isthat the Orient is that which is excluded and objectified by the Westin the service of its historical progress. From the outset, the Orient isa shadow of the West. If the West did not exist. the Orient would notexist either.

is a place where God and the house have an esoteric meaning.

is the cradle of all infamies and all wisdom.

is the subconscious part of the Occident.

orient, n.All

orient