Orientalism Analysis

The Siamese Cat Song From Lady and the Tramp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxpN2XrYDLM

Edward Said's book Orientalism highlights the idea that Western representations of the East portray a negative outlook. In this clip from Disney's Lady and the Tramp, the Siamese cats are no exception.

According to Said, orientals are cunning and suspicious. The cats move in incredibly sly ways and are painted to be very sneaky. They are also constantly scheming, which is also a characteristic that the West has attached to the East. The cats sing, for example, "Do you see that thing swimming round and round? Maybe we can reach on in and make it drown. If we sneaking up upon it carefully there will be head for yoou and a tail for me." They also sing: "Do you hear what I hear a baby cry, where we finding baby there'smilk nearby." All of their actions are calculated, selfish and negative. Said also said that Orientals are cruel to animals. In this video, the cats want to kill the bird and the fish. It is up to the Lady to save the poor animals.

I find it very interesting to see that from a very young age, Americans are taught these Western views of the East. When I think about that detail, I feel like it is then no wonder why these outlooks continue to be portrayed.