Orientalism “A Way of Coming to Terms with the Orient That Is • Take Attendance, Etc

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9/6/2016 THU 9/01 agenda Orientalism “a way of coming to terms with the Orient that is • Take attendance, etc. based on the Orient’s special place in European • Questions? Western experience. The Orient is not only adjacent to Europe; it is also the place of Europe’s greatest • Go over Museum Visits and richest and oldest colonies, the source of its handout civilizations and languages, its cultural contestant, • Discuss M. Butterfly + and one of its deepest and most recurring images of watch clips the Other. In addition, the Orient has helped to define Europe (or the West) as its contrasting Live‐tweeter: @destanybatista image, idea, personality, experience.” —Edward Said, Orientalism (1–2) Orientalism Orientalism • Hwang’s play as a critique of orientalism • An “exotic or imperialistic view of the East” (Hwang 85) – Especially of orientalist stereotypes or fantasies of race, gender, and sexuality – The “East” as opposite of the “West” (I.3 [p. 10–11], I.6 [p. 17 –18], I.10 [p. 25, 27], I.13 [p. 33], II.6 [p. 47]) • Allusion to Rudyard Kipling’s 1889 poem “The Ballad of East and West” (I.7 [p. 19]) – Intersectionality: idea that multiple identities and systems of oppression – “Oh, East is East, and West is West, and (e.g., racism, sexism, homophobia, etc.) never the twain shall meet” intersect/interconnect and must be examined together Representations of Women Representations of Men • According to Gallimard, who or what is • In contrast, what does it mean to be a the “Perfect Woman” (I.3 [9], II.11 [58])? man, especially a “Western”/white man? – Objectified (I.4 [12], I.5 [13–14, 16]) – Not insecure or wimpy like Gallimard (I.4 [13], I.5 [13], I.11 [29]) – Inferior and submissive (I.10 [28], II.6 [44], II.7 [49]) – Powerful, esp. over women • What does Song mean “only a man (I.11 [28], I.12 [32], II.3 [38]) knows how a woman is supposed to – Not emasculated (II.5 [40], act” (II.7 [49])? II.6 [43–44]) 1 9/6/2016 FOR TUESDAY • Finish reading Hwang’s M. Butterfly –Does the play perpetuate orientalist stereotypes about Asian women and men? Or does it challenge and deconstruct those stereotypes? • Don’t forget to tweet! 2.

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