Litterature Asie-Caraïbes

Pr. Mamadou BA

Licence 2 – Semestre 32015/2016

Université Gaston Berger de Saint-LouisU.F.R. des Lettres et Sciences Humaines

Section de Langue, Littératures et Civilisations du Monde Anglophone

Orientalism"Orientalism” is a way of seeing that imagines, emphasizes, exaggerates and distorts differences of Arab peoples and cultures as compared to that of Europe and the U.S. It often involves seeing Arab culture as exotic, backward, uncivilized, and at times dangerous. Source: http://www.arabstereotypes.org/why-stereotypes/what-orientalism

Edward W. Said, in his groundbreaking book, Orientalism, defined it as the acceptance in the West of “the basic distinction between East and West as the starting point for elaborate theories, epics, novels, social descriptions, and political accounts concerning the Orient, its people, customs, ‘mind,’ destiny and so on.”

Source: http://www.arabstereotypes.org/why-stereotypes/what-orientalism

First works based mostly on paintings by Europeans

Focused on the physical description of the people and the environment.

2nd half of the 19th century: more realistic paintings

Images by Europeans (Spanish explorers)

Late 19th century: the Germans take part to the discovery of the Orient…

… in a movement called « Drang nach Osten »

The rush towards the Orient

Gustave Bauernfeind published Temple in Ruin at Baalbek (1848-1904)

Focus on Syria and Palestine

Last movement: American painters and writers

Began after the Civil War (1861-1865)

They were mainly inspired by the French… like Léon Bonnat (1833-1922)