Orientalism is criticized by Prashad in the popular New Age Spiritualism where the religious aspects are clearly reflected on how they influence the lives of the Asian community in the U.S. The way in which the new aspects of religion relates with medical and healing practices are elaborated. The Indian religious perspectives on the lives of the individual conflicts with the life conditions in the U.S making the Indian community members in the U.S to face challenges in the daily activities (Vijay 16). The economic forces in relation to Orientalism are discussed by the author criticizing the aspects of capitalism in the U.S. The author claims that capitalism is a self-nature that makes individuals to work for themselves without consideration of the general public. The industrial forces in the U.S and India are discussed in the details so as order to reflect their impact on the economy as a result of the religious views. The Indians focused much on their spirituality while the American community concentrated on the industrial and economic aspects of the society.
New age orientalism is heavily grounded and reflected in the people who are not rich in the society. The less rich individuals tend to give focus on religion and traditions of the society. The orientalism also elaborates the way in which the people of Indian culture and religion in the U.S perceived the aspects of medicine and healing practices. The believed on religious healing and gave little concentration on the role of medication. This led to the death of many individuals due to the levels of ignorance and wrong religious perceptions. Criticism on modern civilization was also highlighted by the author. The failure of science to give fruitful solutions to the problems in the society is a matter of consideration in the article.
The criticism by Prashad on the New Age of the spirituality had great influence on orientalism in the musical play by Rodger and Hammerstein. The aspects of Asian cultural practices criticized by Prashad are also elaborated in the musical play. The cultural effects of orientalism in the musical play encouraged the norms and cases of cultural assimilation. The aspects of cultural appreciation are highly reflected in the musical play (Glassmeyer 6). In some instances of orientalism in this play, some indigenous musical culture and norms are used solely making the songs distinct from the rest of the songs in the American music industry. The musical instruments and innovations are used in boosting the musical culture and practice of the Asian society. The aspects of orientalism are also shown by the way in which the characters and themes are depicted in this play. The aspects of cultural assimilation are dramatized in this play showing the Asian cultural norms which are being absorbed in the western world (Said 22). The aspects of orientalism have also been transformed and shaped through the use of instrumentation from the western world leading to the introduction of classical songs and drama or plays.
The two texts contribute to the modification of the Said's definition of orientalism in several ways. The views of Said about orientalism are modified in order to include the aspects of cultural assimilation. The aspects relating to spirituality are also added to the views of Said concerning Orientalism. The aspects relating to the medical treatments in the society have been added to the Said's idea of orientalism. The two also helps in bringing out the historical and cultural foundation of orientalism to a wide scope. The manners and customs of the Asians are also elaborated in order to understand orientalism in deep focus.
The emphasis and focus on the cultural norms and beliefs play an important role in facilitating the understanding of orientalism. The aspects relating to the cultural background and history of the people of Asian continent in order to get finer details relating to orientalism. The musical instruments and plays are also of great essence in understanding the way in which orientalism is portrayed in the society. The factors related to spirituality have a great influence in the understanding of orientalism through the analysis of various spiritual beliefs and aspiration of the members of the Asian origin. The information pertaining to the role of science in boosting the welfare of the society is also outlined in the article that is very important in provoking the thoughts of the society towards the aspects of orientalism (Willson 17).
The reader will also be able to understand the aspects of cultural assimilation which are very important in showing the strengths, as well as the loopholes in the western cultures. The impact of Orientalism on the western culture also helps the reader to appreciate the impact of cultural interactions in the society. The reader will also have the opportunity to understand the effects of orientalism on the economic and industrial forces in the society especially in the U.S. The aspects of capitalism and individualism are also elaborated especially when contrasting orientalism with the western cultures. The readers will also be able to understand the impact of communism in the society. The aspects of orientalism in relation to music are well elaborated.
Works Cited
"A Beautiful Idea": The King and I and the Maternal Promise of Sentimental or
Danielle Glassmeyer .The Journal of American Culture; Jun 2012; 35, 2; ProQuest Direct Complete
Prashad, Vijay. The Karma of Brown Folk. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2000. Print.
Said, Edward W, and Patrick Williams. Edward Said. London: Sage, 2001. Print.
Willson, Rachel B. Orientalism and Musical Mission: Palestine and the West. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2013. Print.
