Journey in the Orient: Flaubert’s East in the Context of Orientalism

Ahmet Durak

Makale detayları

Journey in the Orient: Flaubert’s East in the Context of Orientalism

Yazarlar:

Ahmet Durak

Yayıncı:

Istanbul University

Ana Başlıklar:

Dilbilim (Diğer)

Dergi:

Şarkiyat Mecmuası Issue 45, pp.51-66

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

3/2024

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001331162

pISSN:

1307-5020

Anahtar kelimeler:

Özet:

 This study critically engages with Gustave Flauberts Voyage en Orient through the lens of Edward Saids Orientalism 1978, a pivotal work that redefined the understanding of Western representations of the East. Said argues that Orientalism is not merely a scholarly pursuit but a powerful ideological tool used by the West to justify its dominance over the East. By constructing the Orient as an exotic, backward, and fundamentally different entity, Orientalist discourse reinforces Western superiority and colonial ambitions. Applying Saids critique to Flauberts travelogue, which chronicles his journey through Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon, and Turkey between 1849 and 1851, this paper explores how the narrative embodies Orientalist tendencies. The analysis focuses on how Flauberts descriptions and characterizations of Eastern societies contributed to the exoticization and othering of the Orient. This study examines the power dynamics embedded in Flauberts portrayal of the East, questioning how these representations align with or diverge from Orientalist stereotypes. This investigation does not seek to diminish Flauberts literary skill. However, it aims to situate his work within the broader framework of Orientalist discourse, thereby providing a deeper understanding of the complex ways Western literature has historically engaged with and constructed images of the East.

 This study critically engages with Gustave Flauberts Voyage en Orient through the lens of Edward Saids Orientalism 1978, a pivotal work that redefined the understanding of Western representations of the East. Said argues that Orientalism is not merely a scholarly pursuit but a powerful ideological tool used by the West to justify its dominance over the East. By constructing the Orient as an exotic, backward, and fundamentally different entity, Orientalist discourse reinforces Western superiority and colonial ambitions. Applying Saids critique to Flauberts travelogue, which chronicles his journey through Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon, and Turkey between 1849 and 1851, this paper explores how the narrative embodies Orientalist tendencies. The analysis focuses on how Flauberts descriptions and characterizations of Eastern societies contributed to the exoticization and othering of the Orient. This study examines the power dynamics embedded in Flauberts portrayal of the East, questioning how these representations align with or diverge from Orientalist stereotypes. This investigation does not seek to diminish Flauberts literary skill. However, it aims to situate his work within the broader framework of Orientalist discourse, thereby providing a deeper understanding of the complex ways Western literature has historically engaged with and constructed images of the East.

 This study critically engages with Gustave Flauberts Voyage en Orient through the lens of Edward Saids Orientalism 1978, a pivotal work that redefined the understanding of Western representations of the East. Said argues that Orientalism is not merely a scholarly pursuit but a powerful ideological tool used by the West to justify its dominance over the East. By constructing the Orient as an exotic, backward, and fundamentally different entity, Orientalist discourse reinforces Western superiority and colonial ambitions. Applying Saids critique to Flauberts travelogue, which chronicles his journey through Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon, and Turkey between 1849 and 1851, this paper explores how the narrative embodies Orientalist tendencies. The analysis focuses on how Flauberts descriptions and characterizations of Eastern societies contributed to the exoticization and othering of the Orient. This study examines the power dynamics embedded in Flauberts portrayal of the East, questioning how these representations align with or diverge from Orientalist stereotypes. This investigation does not seek to diminish Flauberts literary skill. However, it aims to situate his work within the broader framework of Orientalist discourse, thereby providing a deeper understanding of the complex ways Western literature has historically engaged with and constructed images of the East.

 Gustave Flaubertin Voyage en Orient adlı eserindeki Oryantalist unsurları incelerken, Edward Saidin Oryantalizm 1978 adlı eserinde ortaya koyduğu eleştirel çerçeveyi temel almak elzemdir. Said, kitabında, Oryantalizmin yalnızca masum bir akademik alan olmadığını, Batının Doğuya hükmetmek, onu yeniden yapılandırmak ve üzerinde otorite sahibi olmak için kullandığı karmaşık bir ideolojik yapı olduğunu savunur. Bu düşünce tarzı, Doğu ile Batı arasında yapılan ontolojik ve epistemolojik bir ayrıma dayanır ve bu ayrım, doğal ya da kaçınılmaz bir kategorizasyon olmaktan uzak, sömürgecilik ve emperyalizmin güç dinamiklerinin bir ürünüdür. Said, Batılı anlatıların Doğu toplumları, kültürleri ve halkları hakkında çarpıtılmış bir vizyon yarattığını ve bu vizyonun Batı hegemonyasını meşrulaştırmaya hizmet ettiğini ileri sürer. Bu bağlamda, Flaubertin 1849-1851 yılları arasında Mısır, Filistin, Lübnan ve Türkiyeye yaptığı seyahatleri konu alan Voyage en Orient adlı eseri, Saidin eleştirel perspektifiyle incelenmelidir. Flaubertin Doğuyu tasvir edişi ve anlatı tercihleri üzerinden Oryantalist klişeleri nasıl güçlendirdiği araştırılmalıdır. Eserin estetik değerlerine rağmen, Doğu toplumlarının egzotikleştirilmesi ve ötekileştirilmesi gibi unsurların ne ölçüde mevcut olduğu sorgulanmalıdır. Bu inceleme, Flaubertin eserine dair anlayışımızı, Oryantalist söylem bağlamında derinleştirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Sonuç olarak, Saidin teorik içgörülerine dayanan bu analiz, Voyage en Orientın daha derin ve eleştirel bir şekilde değerlendirilmesine katkıda bulunmayı hedeflemektedir.

Makale detayları

Journey in the Orient: Flaubert’s East in the Context of Orientalism

Yazarlar:

Ahmet Durak

Yayıncı:

Istanbul University

Ana Başlıklar:

Dilbilim (Diğer)

Dergi:

Şarkiyat Mecmuası Issue 45, pp.51-66

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

3/2024

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001331162

pISSN:

1307-5020

Orientalism

Edward Said

Gustave Flaubert

Literary Criticism

Western HegemonyOryantalizm

Doğu

Öteki

Gustave Flaubert

Edward Said

Sayı

Makale detayları

Yazarlar: Ahmet Durak

Yayıncı: Istanbul University

Ana Başlıklar: Dilbilim (Diğer)

Dergi: Şarkiyat Mecmuası Issue 45, pp.51-66

Belge Tipi: Makale

Yayın Tarihi: 3/2024

Belge Dili: İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.): 2001331162

pISSN: 1307-5020

Sayı

Yazarlar:

Ahmet Durak

Yayıncı:

Istanbul University

Ana Başlıklar:

Dilbilim (Diğer)

Dergi:

Şarkiyat Mecmuası Issue 45, pp.51-66

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

3/2024

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001331162

pISSN:

1307-5020