The document is an introduction to Orientalism that was submitted by Bhumi Vajani for their MA course. It discusses Edward Said's concept of Orientalism as a style of thought based on distinguishing the Orient from the Occident. Said contends that Orientalism is fundamentally a political doctrine exercised over the Orient, eliding the Orient's differences through constructs of weakness. Orientalism operates as a cultural apparatus and exercises an orientalist will to truth and knowledge through supporting institutions, vocabulary, scholarship, imagery, doctrines, and colonial bureaucracies and styles to exert power, domination, and hegemony.