Occident vs. Orient

From Geography

Edward Said wrote a lot about Orientalism. The Orient is seen different from the mainstream Western practices. However, there is also the Occident, which is seen as the same as the same as the Western practices. There is a dividing line, mentioned by Foucault, between a few aspects of these practices. The Occident is seen as rational, whereas the Orient is seen as irrational. Furthermore, the Occident is seen as historical, whereas the Orient is seen as eternal. Last, the Occident is seen as Masculine, whereas the Orient is seen as Feminine (Gregory, 2000). Said does not fully agree with this division. According to Said, cultures are involved in one another, no culture s single and pure, all are hybrid and heterogeneous (Gregory, 2000).

Created by Frank Simons