2016-17 English II Hume : May 2017

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

A Small Place Slides

“You may be the sort of tourist who would

wonder why a Prime Minister would want

an airport named after him—why not a

school, why not a hospital, why not some

great public monument? (1.1)”

Analysis 1:

The Prime Minister of Antigua doesn’t want schools, hospitals, or public monuments to be named after him because tourists won’t see “that type of stuff” whereas airports are the dominant means of transportation for tourists, allowing them to be exposed to his name.
The reader can infer that the Antiguan government doesn’t have its citizens best interests at heart.

The Antiguan government caters to the needs of tourists rather than their own people, making sure they receive a quality (however unrealistic) presentation of the island.
The Prime Minister believes that the best way to promote himself is through tourists who experience the impractical depiction of life and culture on the island.

Analysis 2:

The following article by the IPS News Agency on “Poverty in Antigua” brings light to a reality often gone unseen by tourists and media

Many people of Antigua struggle economically and the Antiguan economy is constantly fluctuating

The article claims “there was no sign of life in the community”

Schools and hospitals are severely underfunded, however, many tourist establishments including casinos and hotels flourish

This ties into the false representation of the island portrayed by the government and also brings light to how little they value the livelihood of the Antiguan people rather than wealthy foreigners

“On Antigua, life is a beach. Its corrugated coasts cradle hundreds of perfect little strands lapped by beguiling enamel-blue water, while the sheltered bays have provided refuge for everyone from Admiral Nelson to buccaneers and yachties. If you can tear yourself away from that towel, you'll discover that there’s a distinct English accent to this island. You'll find it in the bustling capital of St John's, in salty-glamorous English Harbour, and in the historic forts and other vestiges of the colonial past. Yet, Antigua is also quintessential Caribbean, full of candy-coloured villages, a rum-infused mellowness and bright-eyed locals that greet you with wide smiles.”

Fantasy world like Disneyland
The brochure presents a sanitized, safe, idealized, fantasy world paradise with picturesque beaches and coasts
Still remnants of British slave trade and control over Antigua
Racist undertone

"distinct English accent to this island" "Yet, Antigua is also quintessential Caribbean"
The sheltered bays only provide refuge for white British foreigners
"Bright eyed locals" who cater to your every need

The tourist dreamworld ignores the native Antiguan

A Small Place Quote:

“Antigua where the sun always shines and where the climate is deliciously hot and dry for the four to ten days you are going to be staying there; and since you are on your holiday, since you are a tourist, the thought of what it might be like for someone who had to live day in, day out in a place that suffers constantly from drought, and so has to watch carefully every drop of fresh water used, must never cross your mind.” (4)

The tourism industry overlooks the actual day-to-day problems in Antigua

Poverty, drought, corruption

Antigua is not a perfect place. It is not idealized. It is not sheltered. It is not glamorous. It is not a fantasy world. There are problems and people are suffering.
All of the natives are catering to the tourists for the “four to ten days your are going to stay there”

Giving them priority over water
Giving them the nicest beaches
Giving them fake smiles and greetings

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/antigua-and-barbuda/introduction
http://www.davishunter.com/home/place/Antigua%20and%20Barbuda