Arab response to Edward Said's Orientalism: A study into Oriental responses to Western Orientalism

Abstract

This dissertation reviews Arab responses to Edward Said’s Orientalism. To that end, it employs a discourse analysis methodology. The current literature indicates gaps in Arab responses to Western Orientalism. Arab responses are generally reviewed vis-à-vis Western Orientalism, not Said’s Orientalism. This paper examines three areas: Arab responses to Orientalism against the backdrop that Said was largely dismissive of his Arab critics; to examine Arab critiques and highlight themes and areas of consensus and disagreement; attempt to understand why Arab responses—in Arabic—were not as widely cited or critiqued in the West.