An Analysis of Orientalist Discourses in Robert Southey’s The Curse of Kehama

Orientalism emerged as the consequence of Western travellers’ works in which they conveyed their observations related to the Orient. Thus, upon the Western travellers’ introduction of the Orient as a mysterious, exotic, and spiritual place, Orientalist narratives became widespread in Western literature rapidly. In the Romantic Period, Oriental tales became a part of popular culture, especially with Galland’s translation of Arabian Nights into English. At this point, Orientalist writers suggested an image of the Orient through the Western lenses. In many narratives, Orientalist writers demonized the Easterners and described them as “barbaric” due to their racial, cultural, and religious differences. The English attempted to justify their expansionist policy and colonial practices in India by arguing that Indians were primitive, irrational, and spiritual. Furthermore, they undertook the quest for Evangelisation of Indians and forced them to convert to Christianity. Regarding this issue, Robert Southey promoted the idea of colonialism and missionary activities in his works. In his Oriental tales, Southey depicted the rituals of non-Christian populations as primitive, inhumane, and even fiendish practices. Moreover, Southey employed his conservative notions in these narratives and defended the superiority of Western values. In his Oriental tale entitled The Curse of Kehama, Southey scorns Hindu Gods because of the portrayal of their bodily shapes and finds Hindu myths too nonsensical to believe. Therefore, this article aims to analyse the Orientalist discourses in Robert Southey’s work The Curse of Kehama and to reveal ideological expressions regarding Hinduism.