The term “Orientalism” refers to a specific trend in the manifestation of cultural traditions and norms based on several characteristics. These features include the use of exotic eastern motifs, plots, and styles. Orientalism is based on a way of thinking that combines both ontological and epistemological contrast between two hypostases – “East” and “West.” In addition, the term can be attributed to a corporate institution or organization that is deeply engaged in the study of the East and its features. In its primordial manifestation, Orientalism illustrates the world of the East in a romantically attractive and rather conventional way.
The term manifests itself in the eighteenth century. Orientalism arose due to European contacts with the peoples of Africa, Turkey, the Mediterranean, and other equally important eastern regions. This result was facilitated by the Egyptian expedition of Napoleon Bonaparte, the French conquest of Algeria, the struggle for independence in Greece, and in general, the policy of European colonialism.
The historical significance of Orientalism is quite difficult to overestimate and designate. According to E. Said’s research, Orientalism contributed to the formation and development of a special kind of thinking based on the difference between the “West” and the “East.” As the author explains, the general meaning of Orientalism is that the dominant number of influential personalities, such as writers, political scientists, and philosophers, have accepted the basic and important differences between the two sides of the world. In fact, this served as a reference, a starting point for writing particular works concerning both the East itself and its peoples, culture, traditions, customs, values, and norms.