Architecture In Edith Wharton's In Morocco

956 Words4 Pages

The rationale behind the choice of this topic stems from an interest in the way Moroccan women and architecture are depicted in Edith Wharton’s In Morocco (1917). Given the fame Wharton seems to have acquired, she is considered as a highly reliable source of information. Hence, analyzing the extent of subjectivity in her description of Moroccan women and architecture reveals some of the reasons behind the growing desire of westerners to visit Morocco, the stereotypes the west had about Morocco, and above all, the extent to which her description of women and architecture has contributed to the rise of European and American interest in the country as well as to the confirmation of these stereotypes. The Moroccan architecture is one of the markers of difference and otherness for the western visitors. No matter how objective the western writer tries to be in describing the Moroccan architecture, his /her feelings of amazement are expressed implicitly through language. As case in point, one can feel that the representation of the Moroccan architecture in Edith Wharton’s In Morocco is not merely a matter of describing a setting. Rather, it seems like an invitation for other westerners to experience the different ‘exotic’ …show more content…

Edith Wharton considers it to be the first guide book to Morocco. Basically, In Morocco depicts Morocco’s major cities such as Rabat, Sale, Fez, Meknez, and Marrakesh. It describes its people, architecture, customs and history of the regions .It vividly describes the progress the French colonialism made in Morocco. Subsequently, In Morocco describes one of the rarest experiences travel writers could ever live which is the author’s entrance to the inner circle of the harems .In fine, an exotic location, a well-known author, and social and financial backing are all contributing factors to the position of In Morocco as being one of the worldwide best-selling travel narratives

Open Document