www.ijellh.com 178 Not Without My Daughter: An Orientalist Analysis Deepshi Arya Graduate Christ University, Bangalore 209/C, East Samnbandam Road, R.S.Puram, Coimbatore India Abstract This paper analyses the relationship between the East and the West in Betty Mahmoody’s memoir Not Without My Daughter (1987) written along with William Hoffer. The novel is written with as well as caters to the Oriental Perspective. This is a result of the stark difference between the culture, ethnicity, beliefs, ideologies, practices which further the stereotypes. The paper examines the representations and binaries that emerge while portraying the East in Betty Mahmoody’s memoir. Keywords: Not Without My Daughter, Betty Mahmoody, Orientalism, culture, stereotypes. The then affluent Persian Empire, now the Iranian Islamic State has been in the news since 1979 for various issues related to politics, religion, war, economy and so on. The American puppet government of the Shah was overthrown in 1979 which was a source of joy for the people of Iran. The reinstatement of the Ayatollah was a symbol of pride and religious triumph that the revolution had promised. However, the regime of the Ayatollah was suppressive and conservative. Development was set back and liberty of people especially that of women saw a major downfall. Immediately after the reinstatement of the Ayatollah the Hostage crisis took place during which the American embassy in Iran was taken over by the Iranian mob. The reinstatement of the Ayatollah was looked upon differently in the West (mainly America) and in the East (Iran). Within the East also not everyone was happy with the reinstatement of the Ayatollah. This was also the time Iran was attacked by Iraq and it was largely believed to be the result of USA’s support to Iraq; this made matters more hostile between the two countries (America and Iran).