A Postcolonial Study of David Lean’s Film Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Loading...
Date
2016
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Université Mouloud Mammeri Tizi-Ouzou
Abstract
This dissertation analyses David Lean’s 1962 film Lawrence of Arabia in the light of postcolonial theory. Appropriating Edward Said’s theory of Orientalism, our research was conducted on three major axes; the depiction of the Arabian Desert as a space where the events took place, the representation of the Arabs and the possible hidden agenda underlying the film. Having analysed various scenes, characters, dialogues, we came out with the conclusion that the film is filled with all manner of stock Orientalist images, characters and themes. As an Oriental space, the Arabian Desert is represented as a place beyond history and civilisation and is given two images. It is both an “exotic” place where a bored and undisciplined young Englishman gets the opportunity to become a hero and a “hostile” place where the latter is in constant danger. As Orientals, the Arabs are ascribed a set of negative characteristics that fix them in an inferior position vis-a-vis the Westerners. Most of all, we discovered that, in his adaptation of Seven Pillars of Wisdom, director David Lean added several historically inaccurate scenes. From our analysis of the these scenes we noticed that the Arabs are shown either as a divided people always fighting against each other or as subordinates who are in desperate need for Western guidance. Taking into consideration the historical context of the film’s production, it appeared to us that all the added scenes carry overt political connotations. It became clear that Lean purposefully altered history to serve his film’s hidden imperialistic agenda.
Description
137p.; 30cm; +(CD-Rom)
Keywords
A Postcolonial Study, David Lean, The Historical Background, Postcolonial theory
Citation
Cultural Studies