2- Discuss the significance of the veil in Orientalism.
Since the Western society came in contact with the Oriental countries, the Western people always tried to explain the traditions and customs of the Eastern culture. Thus, the Western preoccupation with the difference has evolved into the concept of Orientalism. With regard to this, Edward Said reveals the irrationality of the Western perspective and their approach to a differing culture as if the Eastern culture is completely opposed to the Western. In connection to this, Said points out that everything that is connected to the Eastern tradition is regarded by the representatives of the Western civilization as “backward” and even “inferior” (Said 40). This way of thinking makes the Western cultures perceive a veil as something negative, as an object which is disgraceful, both morally and socially.
Traditionally, the veil is perceived through the prism of the Western society the sacrifice of the women’s free will to the men’s chauvinism of the Arab world. For the modern western society, the veil has become synonymous with the oppression of women which comes from their men. This idea was strengthened with the spread of Islamic terrorists over the globe. Those attacks have contributed to the establishment of the image of a cruel and extremist Islamic religion. Thus, the veil …show more content…
However, while previously the Muslim were depicted as simply other and foreign, the events of the 9/11 in the United States created an opportunity to view the American Muslims as a threat to the country. It may not be surprising that the Muslims were always perceived as hostile and villainous people with violent-prone religion. However, the terrorist attack of 9/11 has provided a proof for this idea, and the further media depiction of the Muslims in the United States was highly influenced by this
Since the Western society came in contact with the Oriental countries, the Western people always tried to explain the traditions and customs of the Eastern culture. Thus, the Western preoccupation with the difference has evolved into the concept of Orientalism. With regard to this, Edward Said reveals the irrationality of the Western perspective and their approach to a differing culture as if the Eastern culture is completely opposed to the Western. In connection to this, Said points out that everything that is connected to the Eastern tradition is regarded by the representatives of the Western civilization as “backward” and even “inferior” (Said 40). This way of thinking makes the Western cultures perceive a veil as something negative, as an object which is disgraceful, both morally and socially.
Traditionally, the veil is perceived through the prism of the Western society the sacrifice of the women’s free will to the men’s chauvinism of the Arab world. For the modern western society, the veil has become synonymous with the oppression of women which comes from their men. This idea was strengthened with the spread of Islamic terrorists over the globe. Those attacks have contributed to the establishment of the image of a cruel and extremist Islamic religion. Thus, the veil …show more content…
However, while previously the Muslim were depicted as simply other and foreign, the events of the 9/11 in the United States created an opportunity to view the American Muslims as a threat to the country. It may not be surprising that the Muslims were always perceived as hostile and villainous people with violent-prone religion. However, the terrorist attack of 9/11 has provided a proof for this idea, and the further media depiction of the Muslims in the United States was highly influenced by this