How Does Edward Said Define ‘Culture’ with its Twofold Implications?
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, and various study materials of Introduction to Culture and Imperialism.
Answer
How does Edward Said define ‘culture’ with its twofold implications? [NU: 2020] Or, What, according to Edward Said, are the two-fold implications of culture? [NU: 2017]
Edward Said (1935–2003) was a cultural critic. He studied literature and power in “Culture and Imperialism” (1993). He defined culture in two main ways. First, it is a source of identity and belonging. Second, it is a tool of political control. Let us now analyze both meanings in detail.
Culture as Identity: Said believed culture shapes who we are. It connects people through history, values, and language. It gives a group its shared sense of self. Culture builds communities and traditions. Said expressed this role in a short line:
“Culture… is a source of identity.”
This quote shows culture as personal and deep. It gives people purpose and connection. It unites through shared memory and emotion.
Culture as Power: Said also saw culture as political. It spreads the values of powerful groups. It helps empires teach pride and loyalty. Literature is used to support domination. Said showed how novels helped build the empire. He saw this clearly in many authors. Culture becomes a space where power grows silently.
A Stage of Struggle: Said believed culture is never neutral. It is full of conflict and competition. Ideas of race, morality, and rule clash here. He wrote this important line to explain:
“Culture is a sort of theater where various political and ideological causes engage one another.”
This means culture is where ideas fight. It becomes a battlefield of politics and belief. Novels, poems, and plays become political tools.
Linked to Empire: Said joined both meanings in his work. Culture builds identity, but can also control it. It gives pride, but can also silence others. In the West, it helped justify the empire. That is why he studied it so deeply. He believed culture creates both beauty and power.
In termination, Said defined culture in two ways. It gives identity and spreadsUnlock this study guide now