desire for the orient in robert byron’s the road to oxiana

This article will concentrate on robert byron's the road to oxiana which recounts his journey to persia, afghanistan, and turkistan, central asia before the second world war. this article seeks to demonstrate how the travel writer departs from the well-established path of the orientalist worldview. to do so, the article will benefit from the views of ali behdad who holds western travel writers can demonstrate the desire for the orient which is characterized by engagement, respect, open-mindedness, and receptiveness towards eastern culture and people. this article attempts to show byron's desire for the orient by discussing his love of islamic architecture, highlighting his appreciation of the patronship of powerful muslim women, and criticizing western tourists and missionaries.