Discuss Culture as an Instrument of Imperialism
Introduction to Culture and Imperialism is a notable literary work by Edward Said. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of Introduction to Culture and Imperialism.
Answer
According to Edward Said, discuss culture as an instrument of imperialism.
Edward Said (1935-2003) is well known for his work on post-colonialism and the analysis of imperialism. In his influential book “Culture and Imperialism” (1993), Said examines how culture was used as an instrument of imperialism. Through literature, art, and other cultural expressions, imperial powers advanced their domination and presented it as both necessary and beneficial.
Literature as a Vehicle for Imperial Ideology: Said highlights that literature was one of the most effective tools for promoting imperialism. Novels, in particular, played a significant role in spreading imperialist values by portraying colonial endeavours as heroic and justified. Said argues that
without empire… there is no European novel as we know it. (Chapter 2, Part 1).
Writers like Joseph Conrad and Rudyard Kipling embedded imperialist themes in their works.
The Rhetoric of Civilization: Imperial powers often used culture to present their domination as a “civilizing mission.” Said explains how the rhetoric of bringing civilization to “backward” regions became a central narrative in justifying colonial rule. This idea of a civilizing mission was deeply embedded in cultural expressions, from literature to educational curricula.
The Role of Cultural Exclusion: Said also discusses how culture served to exclude and marginalize non-European societies. By portraying colonized peoples as inferior, European culture reinforced the idea that they were unfit for self-governance. He notes that
…there is in all nationally defined cultures… an aspiration to sovereignty, to sway, and to dominance (Chapter 1, Part 2).
In short, Edward Said showed how culture was used to support imperialism. Literature, art, and language helped empires justify their actions and keep control. His work highlights how culture played a key role in maintaining and spreading the power of imperial rule.