Exploring the Themes of Otherness in the Movie Avatar (2009)

Abstract

This article will explore the concept of "otherness," as articulated by Edward Said in James Cameron’s work Avatar (2009). Through the interaction between the native Na'vi of Pandora and the human colonists, the research explores how the movie depicts the dynamics of power, identity, and cultural representation. The study looks at how the "Other" is constructed and how it affects colonial and exploitative narratives by keeping in view the idea of Edward Said on cultural identification. Using a qualitative methodology encompassing literary analysis, the study examines the film's linguistic and visual components under the lens of postcolonial theory and interrogates power dynamics that sustain marginalization. Situated within the context of contemporary literary discourse and orientalist critiques, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of Cameron's work and its implications for understanding identity clashes and cultural representation. The findings show that by emphasizing the exploitation of Pandora's resources and the dehumanization of the Na'vi, Avatar criticizes colonialism. By critically examining the persistent effects of colonialism in modern media, this study advances our knowledge of how Said's theory of otherness is still applicable to the analysis of contemporary narratives of power and identity.