Which of the following is true of Edward Said's Orientalism?

(A) It was published in 1979.
(B) Utilises the concept of discursive formulation as argued by Foucault.
(C) He has taken up the detailed analysis of imaginative geography and representation of the Orient.
(D) It is one of the foundational texts of Postcolonial theory.
(E) It puts to use Barthes' concept of 'death of the author'.

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct option is D

Explanation:

Edward Said's Orientalism is profoundly influenced by Michel Foucault’s theory of discourse and power/knowledge. Said uses Foucauldian discourse analysis to argue that the West’s representation of the Orient was not just a reflection of reality but a discursively constructed knowledge system. These representations served to maintain the hegemonic power structures of colonialism.

Said explores the notion of “imaginative geography”, where the Orient is portrayed by the West through constructed stereotypes, emphasizing exoticism, backwardness, and difference. Said asserts that this geography is not a neutral, factual space but a textual and ideological construction that enabled colonial domination.

Edward Said’s Orientalism is considered a cornerstone text of postcolonial studies. It laid the theoretical foundation for how colonial discourse, literature, and scholarly knowledge reinforced imperial power and shaped perceptions of the colonized East in political, academic, and cultural contexts.

Information Booster:

Edward W. Said (1935–2003), a Palestinian-American literary critic and theorist, is widely recognized for initiating postcolonial theory in its contemporary form.

Orientalism (1978) explores how Western academia, literature, and media have historically represented the East (Orient) as exotic, inferior, irrational, and uncivilized to legitimize Western imperial rule. The text critiques these representations as colonial tools of domination rather than neutral scholarship.

Key Concepts:

- Discourse (Foucault-inspired): A body of knowledge that constructs the Orient, shaping political power through scholarly representations.

- Imaginative Geography: A concept where spatial demarcations (West vs. East) are not geographical but ideological, reinforcing a sense of superiority over the East.

- Representation and Power: Said argues that knowledge about the Orient was produced by colonial power structures, not discovered. Thus, representation becomes a tool of control.

- Postcolonial Framework: The book critiques how colonial ideologies continue to shape modern thinking and policies, making Orientalism central to postcolonial critique.

- The book explores how Western scholars, writers, and institutions constructed an image of the Orient through literature, travel writing, art, and academic research.

- Said shows that this "Orient" is not a real place but a discursive creation, designed to justify colonial exploitation. The text unveils how representation and knowledge production have always been entangled with political and economic power. Said’s aim is to decolonize knowledge systems and reveal how the “Othering” of the Orient helped to solidify Western identity and authority.