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How might Herge’s The Blue Lotus address or relate to the issue of what Said (1977) terms ‘orientalism’?

Herge’s The Blue Lotus appears to correct the European stereotypes that existed during the time of its publication in 1934/1935, trying specifically to target the ideas held by “stupid Europeans” (Herge, 1935, p43).  These stereotypes were held in the West about the culture and traditions of the people in the East as a result of Orientalism - an idea constructed to give reality and presence to the eastern half of the world (Said, 1997).

Orientalism has a deep reoccurring image of ‘us’ and ‘them’ or ‘the other’ (Said, 1997). There is evidence of this divide on page 6 of The Blue Lotus when the English character Gibbons physically assaults a Chinese cart runner saying “You dirty little Chinaman…to barge into a white man”.

The term orientalism has given way for numerous pieces of literature to create intricate plots based on the disunion between the Orient (East) and the Occident (West) (Said, 197).

REFERENCE

Said, E. (1997) Oreintalisim, In Ashcroft, B. Griffiths, G. & Tiffin, H. (ed.), The Post-colonial Studies Reader (pp.87-91). London: Routledge.

Herge. (2005; 1935). The Adventures of Tintin: The Blue Lotus. London: Methuen.