An Account of the Manners and Customs of the Modern Egyptians and An Imam in Paris

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Paper 4
An Account of The Manners and Customs of the Modern Egyptians is an influential work about the Middle East by Edward William Lane. Initially published in 1860, the book covers various facets of Egyptian society, including personal characteristics and dressing, infancy and early education, religion and laws, government, domestic life, language and science, industry, superstitions, astrology, music, and character, among others. On the other hand, An Imam in Paris: An Account of a Stay in France by Rifa'a Rafi'al-Tahtawi is one of the earliest accounts of Middle East encounters with European culture, norms, and way of life. The book provides a glimpse of early conceptions of Europe among Muslim scholars: the author was the leading member of the Egyptian scholars sent on an educational mission to Paris in the 1820s. This essay will compare the two works in terms of how the authors documented cultures that were alien to their own. It argues that Lane documented his encounter with Egyptian culture in a matter-of-fact scholarly way. At the same time, Tahtawi wrote his observations of European customs, intending to bring ideas of European culture and modernity to the Middle East.
Lane wrote An Account of The Manners and Customs of the Modern Egyptians from his observations during a visit to the country, specifically for reporting on Egyptian norms and way of life. Many scholars consider the book an authoritative course because of its objectivity and comprehensive nature. Lane's descriptions of Egyptian culture, customs, and way of life are impartial, brief, and comprehensive. While some critics have faulted Lane's matter-of-fact tone for lacking authenticity and bordering on cultural egotism, most critics have commended the book for its accurate and diverse portrayals of Egypt and its people. Still, Lane's work is meant for a scholarly audience, and the author focused largely on those aspects of Egyptian customs and society that would be useful knowledge for Middle East and European academics.
Lane is objective and comprehensive in his description of Egyptian culture and society. His narrative is also edifying and reveals a thorough and nuanced understanding of the region and its people. For instance, when describing the people of Egypt, he provides rich details about other pertinent facts that may interest a more informed or eager reader. "The people of Middle Egypt are tawnier; and those of the more southern provinces are of a deep bronze o...