Edward Said - Compare and Contrast
page 1
“Discuss the role Cultural Exchange plays in the formation of an individuals identity”
Research Paper by: Nicole Y. Herma
Compare and Contrast:
This paper will discuss how Eastern civilization has affected the Western culture and how they
differ in society. Also discussed will be how orientalism, by Edward Said, has played a role in
cultural studies in which he has challenged the idea of orientalism. Discuss the future of
eastern and western societies and where the American culture stands today. Also discussions on
how this effects our individual identity and Freedom.
Body:
With the start of European colonization, the Europeans encounter the “less inferior”
developed countries of the East. It was found that their civilization and culture was very exotic
which established the science of orientalism. The Orient is a vast region, one that spreads across
a multitude of cultures and countries. It includes most of Asia as well as the Middle East. The
culture of the Orient has not been and is not inferior to ours, they are not incapable of
developing an economic base for their culture. It has been noted that India has more gifted
students than we have students. There are individual cultures throughout the Orient which
are re-surging and no longer depend on western direction and leadership, they simply are no
longer going to listen. Said writes that the implications of the fabrication of how Western society
is developed. This implication, as suggested is more rational, flexible, and superior than the rest
of less “inferior” countries..[2]
page 2
Discussion:
The Native Americans have been brought to their knees. Our colonization of this country
destroyed the indigenous peoples and resulted in a cultural change of enormous
proportions. America’s influence around the world is fading and becoming more expensive to
direct. We cannot expect the same results as Manifest Destiny in
“Discuss the role Cultural Exchange plays in the formation of an individuals identity”
Research Paper by: Nicole Y. Herma
Compare and Contrast:
This paper will discuss how Eastern civilization has affected the Western culture and how they
differ in society. Also discussed will be how orientalism, by Edward Said, has played a role in
cultural studies in which he has challenged the idea of orientalism. Discuss the future of
eastern and western societies and where the American culture stands today. Also discussions on
how this effects our individual identity and Freedom.
Body:
With the start of European colonization, the Europeans encounter the “less inferior”
developed countries of the East. It was found that their civilization and culture was very exotic
which established the science of orientalism. The Orient is a vast region, one that spreads across
a multitude of cultures and countries. It includes most of Asia as well as the Middle East. The
culture of the Orient has not been and is not inferior to ours, they are not incapable of
developing an economic base for their culture. It has been noted that India has more gifted
students than we have students. There are individual cultures throughout the Orient which
are re-surging and no longer depend on western direction and leadership, they simply are no
longer going to listen. Said writes that the implications of the fabrication of how Western society
is developed. This implication, as suggested is more rational, flexible, and superior than the rest
of less “inferior” countries..[2]
page 2
Discussion:
The Native Americans have been brought to their knees. Our colonization of this country
destroyed the indigenous peoples and resulted in a cultural change of enormous
proportions. America’s influence around the world is fading and becoming more expensive to
direct. We cannot expect the same results as Manifest Destiny in