Application Of Orientalism

Sample Solution

   

Delving into the Depths of Orientalism: A Critical Examination of Heart of Darkness

In his seminal work, "Orientalism," Edward Said delves into the complex and often problematic relationship between the West and the East, a relationship shaped by power imbalances and the imposition of Western perspectives onto Eastern cultures. Said defines Orientalism as a "style of thought based upon an ontological and epistemological distinction between 'the West' and 'the rest of the world.'" This distinction, he argues, has enabled the West to exert control over the East, both politically and intellectually, by constructing and perpetuating an image of the Orient as exotic, inferior, and fundamentally different from the West.

Full Answer Section

      Said's critique of Orientalism resonates profoundly with Joseph Conrad's novella, "Heart of Darkness," a tale of a journey into the depths of the Congo, a region of Africa that was under European colonial rule at the time the novel was written. Marlow, the story's narrator, ventures into the heart of Africa, encountering a landscape shrouded in mystery and encountering people he deems to be savage and primitive. Conrad's depiction of Africa and its inhabitants is deeply infused with Orientalist tropes. The Congo is portrayed as a dark, impenetrable jungle, a land of savagery and primal instincts. The African people are described as "cannibals" and "savages," devoid of reason and morality. Marlow's narrative is laced with a sense of fear and disgust towards the Africans, reinforcing the stereotypical image of the Orient as a place of barbarity and uncivilization. However, Conrad's novel is not simply a straightforward endorsement of Orientalist attitudes. There are moments of insight and compassion that challenge the simplistic dichotomy between the civilized West and the savage East. Marlow, despite his initial prejudices, comes to recognize the humanity of the Africans, particularly in his encounter with Kurtz, the enigmatic ivory trader who has succumbed to the darkness of the Congo. One of the most striking examples of Conrad's challenge to Orientalism is his portrayal of the African woman in the forest. Marlow describes her with a sense of awe and admiration, noting her "imperial pose" and her "savage dignity." This description contrasts sharply with the dehumanizing imagery of the African men, suggesting that Conrad was more willing to grant complexity and humanity to women than to men. Despite these moments of challenge, the overall tone of "Heart of Darkness" remains deeply influenced by Orientalist thought. The novel's portrayal of Africa and its people reinforces the stereotypical image of the Orient as a place of savagery and primitiveness. Conrad's use of language, such as the repeated use of the word "savage," reinforces this dichotomy and contributes to the perpetuation of Orientalist attitudes. In conclusion, "Heart of Darkness" presents a complex and contradictory relationship with Orientalism. While the novel contains elements that challenge Orientalist stereotypes, it also reinforces these stereotypes through its overall depiction of Africa and its people. Conrad's work serves as a reminder of the pervasiveness of Orientalism in Western thought and the challenges of escaping its influence.