I argue that literature has been a great influence in supporting and spreading Eurocentric western views while simultaneously exaggerating and and berating the flaws in other cultures thus othering them in  negative ways . literature can be viewed as a primary source in the gathering of knowledge for  societies and can therefore influence (Said, 1978) their entire perspective ,thus if the information from said literature is inaccurate or negatively biased a negative viewpoint will be developed. I will argue this through the use of the work by  Said (1978) orientalism .in order to argue this I will be describing the concepts of orientalism as described by Said (1978) and the false prejudice the west had against the orient, in the following paragraphs.

According to Said (1978 :10) ,“Orientalism is a style of thought based upon an ontological and epistemological distinction made between “the Orient” and (most of the time) “the Occident.” ’’ . He explains that orientalism as an academic discipline  combines eastern cultures and represents the middle east as inferior leading to the ostracizing and othering of the middle-east from the west.. Personally i see this through the extreme cultural prejudice happening currently against middle eastern people within Europe and other western places. Middle eastern people are deemed, aggressive and volatile. Throughout the years I have seen a rise in islamophobia and general misconceptions of my cultures that I believe comes from the ignorance and misinformation that is spread from western literature. Therefore affirming Said’s belief that orientalism separates the east and west framing the east as inferior.

In conclusion literature has had a significant role in perpetuating and supporting Eurocentric western views ,marginalizing non-European cultures as argued by Edward said in his concepts of orientalism .  By addressing these biases present in literature, we can  dismantle  harmful stereotypes and promote mutual respect between cultures. In doing so, improving the discipline of anthropology .

References

Said, E. W., 1978. orientalism. london: Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd. .