Edward Said’s groundbreaking work "Orientalism" critiques the Western portrayal of Eastern cultures and the lasting impact of colonialism on how the West views the East. Said argues that Western scholarship has historically misrepresented the Orient, constructing an image of it as exotic, backward, and in need of Western intervention. The book explores the power dynamics in cultural representations and has become a cornerstone of post-colonial studies, challenging readers to rethink history, politics, and the ways cultures are portrayed.