Jean – Léon Gérôme, The Snake Charmer
For this particular analysis, I have looked at the introduction of “Orientalism” and I have linked a few arguments that the author had. Firstly, the ability of the Europeans to enter these countries and decide what was to be recorded and published that has resulted in the different symbols that have created what we now think of as predominately Arab and Eastern nations. For instance, both “The Prophet’s Hair” and “Aladdin” have similar themes and symbols. The symbol of wealth, specifically gold, magic, djinns, the thieves, dark allies, the shadowy figures, women and veils, sorcery, the villain who is extremely greedy Jaffar vs Hashim… etc.
Salman’s style is that of an orientalist, someone that even though was involved or had some experience amongst Muslims or at least the culture, spoke as though he didn’t, his words were a barrier between himself and the characters. For an example, a particular character who stood out in the passage was Hashim’s wife; She is completely voiceless, helpless, and pretty much powerless. The oppression was overwhelming to the point of submission. This corresponds to a specific passage from Saeed’s introduction to Orientalism
“For example, in the fact that Flau-bert’s encounter with an Egyptian courtesan produced a widely influential model of the Oriental woman; she never spoke of herself, she never represented her emotions, presence, or history. He spoke for and represented her. He was foreign, comparatively wealthy, male, and these were historical facts of domination that allowed him not only to possess Kuchuk Hanem physically but to speak for her and tell his readers in what way she was “typically Oriental” – Edward Said
Another interesting way to compare both the hint of Orientalism is that Hashim’s critique of Islam is apparent in the story, satirical yes, however nonetheless existing. A position of superiority over the Islamic religion and the technical exercises of authority is well throughout the story. An example would be the passage of using “American’s millionaires” as a meaning of not only justification of his greed but a way to use it as a superior rational decision over the religious tradition decision.
This is important because Salman is of a British western nationality, has already broken the barrier that would consider him an “Orientalist”. One could argue that he himself identifies as a British man, not as a Muslim Indian man who is an Orientalist. Similarly, Sa’id states that “Orientalism depends for its strategy on this flexible positional superiority, which puts the Westerner in a whole series of possible relationships with the Orient without ever losing him the relative upper hand” To take a stand against the orientalist practice or religion is in itself a superior stand, similar to the European explorers when they studied and observed the orientalist world.