EDWARD SAID'S ORIENTALISM: KNOWLEDGE, POWER, AND THE DISCURSIVE CONSTRUCTION OF THE EAST

Abstract

This article examines the main ideas presented in Edward Said’s Orientalism and their relevance to postcolonial studies. It argues that the East was constructed by Western discourse rather than represented as an objective reality. The study also highlights the connection between knowledge and power, showing how Orientalist representations supported colonial domination and marginalized Eastern voices. Through examples from literature and political discourse, the article demonstrates that Orientalism functioned as both a system of knowledge and an instrument of power. The findings confirm that Said’s theory remains an important framework for understanding cultural representation and global power relations.