Orientalism and Stereotype of Oriental women I Orientalism

Orientalism and Stereotype of Oriental women

I. Orientalism 1. A regularized manner of writing, vision and study dominated by ideological biases suited to the orient. (source) 2. The image of the ‘Orient’ 3. Not a school of thought; a form presented in arts and researches by the occident.

The Image of the ‘Orient’ West subject Masculinity Self strong East object Femininity ‘other’ weak

Asian Portrayed in Media 1. Early: Fear for Asian immigrants evil 2. Post World War II: Japanese as the evil imperialist; Chinese as the innocent victims and diligent farm people. 3. Vietnam War: Vietnamese as the evil Asian; greedy, vicious.

Contemporary Image of Chinese 1. Corrupted legal system and government (e. g. Red Corner, Spy Game ) 2. Old, refuse the outside world and changes (e. g. Red Corner) 3. Full of beautiful women (feminine image) (e. g. Rush Hour 2) 4. Exotic; dragon 5. Everyone knows martial art; long, narrow eyes and thin eyebrows; 著中山裝及旗袍 (e. g Charlie’s Angel, Rush Hour, Red Corner)

Stereotype on Oriental Women Image of ‘farm women’: Passive Quiet; never quarrel Devoted (to family, love, etc. ) Diligent; endure hardship Humble; tender Image of ‘whore’: Born to please men ( great sexual techniques) Cannot resist white men Prostitutes

Examples of Oriental Women’s Image (The ‘farm women’) Miss Saigon Kim as a poor, orphaned prostitute, was saved from the brothel by an American GI Christopher. They got separated in war. Kim awaited patiently, without any complaint for three years. She is devoted to her child and her husband.

Example of Oriental Women’s Image (‘Whore’) The world of Suzie Wong Some films concerning the Vietnam War. Miss Saigon (girls other than Kim) Image source: left, right

Icon 宗毓華 (Connie Chung) Exotic anchorwoman Other female, Asian anchorwomen are asked to dress like Connie Chung Image source Airline ads of Asian flight attendants Always bowing to customers Subject and subordinate to a comfortable, luxurious service.