ORIENTALISM IN "THE TALISMAN" BY SIR WALTER SCOTT: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This article explores the elements of Orientalism in Sir Walter Scott’s novel The Talisman (1825) within the context of 19th-century European literature. By analyzing Scott’s portrayal of the East—specifically its characters, cultural representations, and power dynamics—the study examines how the novel reflects Western perceptions of the Orient. While Scott offers a more nuanced depiction of Muslim figures compared to his contemporaries, his portrayal remains embedded in an exoticizing and othering discourse. This paper applies Edward Said’s theory of Orientalism to The Talisman, highlighting the novel’s role in shaping Western literary constructs of the East.