Chapter 1 of The Society of the Spectacle (1967) by Guy-Ernest Debord describes reality as an “immense accumulation of spectacles” where “everything that has been “directly lived” has become a “representation” (para). The concepts of separation and isolation were defined in relation to the process of production in an economic system The writer emphasizes that in the present society, the products generated through the work of individuals are very much separated from the workers and have in fact accumulated its own power. It is such power that has a great impact on the various aspects of a people’s existence.
The second document, Ronald Barthes’ Death of an Author (1977), argues that “a text’s unity lies not in its origin but in its destination” (para 8). The author is said to be the father of the book or any product of literature. As the creator, he/she nourishes it, sacrifices for it, but once the book is finished, the author fades away and the reader comes in. In the modern perspective, it is the reader who gives life to the book as he/she reads it. The traditional view that the author dictates the real meaning of the text limits it. Each kind of writing produced represents contributions from many cultures and the space where all the multiplicity is held together is in the reader, thus “the birth of the reader must be at the cost of the author” (death of an author, 2010, para 8).
In the third text, Edward Said talks about Orientalism (1978) and defines the concept as “a Western style for dominating, restructuring, and having authority over the Orient” (p. 1). The concept of the Orient is more deeply entrenched in the academic history of the French and British. The author argues that Orientalism is not a fantasy nor a “mere system of lies” but a “created body of theory and practice” which received considerable material investment (p.5).
Response
The first text about reality as spectacles requires more focus to be understood. It was not easy to grasp the concept of reality explained as opposing views with statements such as “ all individual reality has become social reality directly dependent on social power and shaped by it” and “it is allowed to appear only to the extent that it is not” (Debord, 1967, para 17). When the author used words pertaining to the economics, this reader was able to understand his arguments.
This reader welcomes the ideas presented in the second text and agrees with his argument. Indeed, the consumption of various products of literature is an experience in itself before there is an interaction that takes place between the text and the reader. The reader’s enjoyment and understanding of a book, essay or poem is dependent on his/her own perspectives and experiences. This understanding of the written work would definitely be limited if the author would dictate how the reader can enjoy such literary product.
The third reading was an eye-opener and quite educational because it has corrected this reader’s assumptions about the concept of Orientals and the Orient. This text provides further evidence of this student’s understanding of the influence of more developed nations on the fields of studies that are prioritized in the academe.
Questions about the readings
1. Can you explain the phrase the spectacle is the nightmare of imprisoned modern society?” [para 21]
2. How does the removal of the author transform the modern text? [Barthes, para7]
3. Why is the concept of Orientalism considered an imposition of power? (e.g. European identity as a superior one] [p.5]
References
Barthes, R. (1977). The Death of the Author. Retrieved from http://www.deathoftheauthor.com/
Debord, G. (1967). The Society of the Spectacle. Retrieved from http://library.nothingness.org/articles/SI/en/display/16.
Said, E. (1978). “Introduction.” In Orientalism. New York: Random House, pp.1-9.
