edward said and comparative theory

edward said and comparative theory

edwars said was a palestinian/american scholar, intellectual and political activist whose ideas and studies on orientalism have received multiple attention. one important sphere which has not been delt with with regards to said is his role as a comparativist.

said was professor of comparative literature but aside from a scant number of articles, not much has been written on his contribution to comparative studies. although it may be taken for granted that his study of the east and the west itslef embodies a comparative spirit, yet his method of carrying out such an approach deserves more closer attention.

one of said’s contribution to orientalism and comparative studies is his employment of literary criticism and literary theory. focusing on said’s article “travelling theory”, the present paper aims to discuss said’s method of comparing theories, situating his work among other comparativists and demonstrating how he has borrowed from both the french and the amrican modes of comparative studies, and yet going beyond both.