에드워드 사이드(Edward W. Said)의 오리엔탈리즘 분석과 재현(representation)

Abstract

This article attempts to clarify the problematic of Edward W. Said’s critical work on Orientalism by examining his analysis through the concept of “representation.” Analyzing Orientalism as a process of ‘formation’ or ‘transformation’ of representation, Said shows that the modern Europe produced various descriptions and representations related to the Orient in its proper style where the Orient could be constructed as an essential ‘Other’ in opposite characteristics to the European societies. Said’s analysis of Orientalism tries to focus on the fact that Orientalism is a discursive formation composed of various aspects rather than to make a criticism that Orientalist representations distorted a real Orient. It is true that Orientalism is more related to the Occident than to the Orient in that the Modern Europe establishes self identity called ‘modernity’ by constructing its proper Other named Orient. In this case, the Orient is essentially distinguished from itself in nature. This article examines Said’s analysis of Orientalism based on the concept of ‘representation,’ confirming a historical fact that Orientalism discourse has actually established Modern European self-identity while observing, describing, defining, governing, and namely orientalizing the Orient in its interest.