Hello fairy friends, I hope you all are enjoying your week. Most of you know I have been swamped with homework. Now I have a question for you regarding one of my classes. You do not have to answer- Honestly this is out of curiosity-
If you are an author or a writer do you think your WIP, short stories, poetry, flash or any other type holds any political value? Please say why or why not.
In my non-western women writers class this question was posed because of "Orientalism" in the east or Orient. When I first started this class I thought "Orientalism" was what the orient was about- but in actuality it was created by western cultures as an idea of the east that is portrayed either wrong, or with little truth inside the pieces.
For example, Disney's Aladdin. It is technically a children's show, but what does this show about the east? There is the mystical effects, the enticing clothing and music, but what about the characters? It came to my attention through class discussion that whether or not western culture meant to- the Sultan is portrayed as a white person's view, westerners have a need to connect with this culture, so he is portrayed in a western way.
Obviously this is not the only thing, but notice, in reality the sultan would have been provided a harem of wives upon a marriage of his daughter- this was left out- naturally because westerners think this is barbaric.
Then if we look at Aladdin himself, we find someone who is trying to move up the ranks of the system, he wants to marry a princess. From a western view- American people are allowed to hope this way- the view is that if we work hard enough we can accomplish anything.
However over in the orient- the east- they have a caste system. Inside this caste system people cannot move up- what ever caste they are born into- they pretty much remain in because no one allows them to move up.
Have a great week everyone- I'm looking forward to your responses.
If you are an author or a writer do you think your WIP, short stories, poetry, flash or any other type holds any political value? Please say why or why not.
In my non-western women writers class this question was posed because of "Orientalism" in the east or Orient. When I first started this class I thought "Orientalism" was what the orient was about- but in actuality it was created by western cultures as an idea of the east that is portrayed either wrong, or with little truth inside the pieces.
For example, Disney's Aladdin. It is technically a children's show, but what does this show about the east? There is the mystical effects, the enticing clothing and music, but what about the characters? It came to my attention through class discussion that whether or not western culture meant to- the Sultan is portrayed as a white person's view, westerners have a need to connect with this culture, so he is portrayed in a western way.
Obviously this is not the only thing, but notice, in reality the sultan would have been provided a harem of wives upon a marriage of his daughter- this was left out- naturally because westerners think this is barbaric.
Then if we look at Aladdin himself, we find someone who is trying to move up the ranks of the system, he wants to marry a princess. From a western view- American people are allowed to hope this way- the view is that if we work hard enough we can accomplish anything.
However over in the orient- the east- they have a caste system. Inside this caste system people cannot move up- what ever caste they are born into- they pretty much remain in because no one allows them to move up.
Have a great week everyone- I'm looking forward to your responses.
16 comments:
Great Post! Most of my WIP do hold something political, but only slightly. There is more of a tension I suppose hanging over my MC's that involve government elements.
Love you blog! :)
I'd like to think that my writing does not pander to stereotypes. I hope so anyway!! I kind of like to think too that all I do is political including my writing, even if it is not overtly so. By this I mean I rally for liberty and justice and fair play in all my stories. I do adore writing the baddie but I love to make the baddie complex and with depth so the character is probably moulded by the society he or she is a product from rather than being innately bad.
I hope I've not rambled on too much! LOL!
Take care
x
No, I can't say I have anything really policital in my work.
I wouldn't say my WIPs are too "political" but one of them does subtly reflect my views regarding animal rights in the form of human suffering.
I don't think my work holds anything political. But once you're published, people always dig around and find something political, religious, and who knows what else even when the author is like, "No no, that's not what it means at all! The chair is just a chair and does symbolize the President in his Oval Office!" LoL. I always get a kick out of people who meticulously review books and make them out to be something else entirely!
It seems like too many Western movies are pretty inaccurate when portraying foreign cultures. Great example with Aladdin!
No,
My works are far from political.
But my second novel might be considered somewhat political because it features an abusive Military father.
My current work definitely makes a lot of societal points, but I attack it from both sides. I never decide I'm going to make a point one way or another, but I do love to explore the different ways a society can function and highlight the good & bad.
Yes. My main characters are at two different ends of one political issue--government. The story is based on the idea that the government in place is a total dictatorship; one one side there are the officials trying to keep their power, and on the other there are the people living under them.
I try to avoid stereotypes, and viewpoints that are "Western" or otherwise prejudiced. But I'm sure there are opinions stated by some characters that people would object to.
Interesting question! In my novels... no. I don't think so!
This is way too deep for me to think about on a hot Friday morning. My answer is probably most of us do, whether we do it consciously or not, simply because we bring ourselves to our work.
Mine contains no politics that I know of...hmm. Now I want to study a few chapters to make sure.
Nope. No politics in mine.
Man, you've just suck the joy out of one of my fav Disney movies. But I had heard there was a lot of controversy surrounding it when it first came out.
Hi Summer,
Interesting question but I knowingly keep away from politics and religion!
Is it any wonder people still dream of coming to America?
I do have politics in my epic fantasy, but it isn't the main plot. It's a must, since they are going to war and I show the different political systems but they are just flavorings to the overall plot. There is the kingdom of Gil-Lael with their king and a very high moral standard. Then the elves who don't have the same social structure because they don't have to worry about disease. There is Shea-Talon and their king does have a harem. So that is about it, you read it so you know. LOL
Nancy
N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium
Not sure how political this is, but my novel may come across as being against war and corporations who exploit workers for their own greed.
My chapbook, "Remy Broussard's Christmas," tackles bullying. When I lived Okinawa for two years and I'd return home, I quickly learned that when I related some experiences people would argue with me, ie, it just couldn't be. I realized parts of other cultures just don't translate.....The term 'Middle East' is also a Western invention.
You brought up some great points, Summer!
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