Two authors who cover different periods and regions appear to have the same concept as a theme in their works. The theme of poverty appears as a predominant theme in the two literal works. The theme appears through the description of different situations both texts. Different situations appear to bear the same effect. Both Kincaid and Sekula share similar concerns regarding poverty including what poverty does to people and the causes of poverty. The authors also suggest certain solutions towards the poverty issue. The shared view on poverty by both authors highlights that poverty creates a larger gap within societies, which makes the poor to resort to desperate measures in order
Kincaid presents the issue of poverty through the ugliness in tourism (Kincaid, 23). In her case, poverty comes due to the dependence of the economy on tourism. The tourists in this situation take advantage of the poor members of the society. The foreigners who come to view different sites leave the locals in a more desperate situation. The situation gets worse due to the involvement of powerful individuals in the region. For example, a government minister within the case who runs a brothel for girls to be exploited by the foreigners. The difference between the tourist and the locals also presents the differences between the haves and the poor. For example, from the context, the tourists travel in order to escape the boredom from their ordinary life. They aspire to see new things and people within a lovely setting. For the locals, who represent the poor group in the setting continuously go through the same cycle, some prefer working in brothels to satisfy the tourists while others prefer to hawk different items along the beach.
In the same context, Kincaid notes that the same lovely attractions that draw the tourists to the region are the cause of difficulty to the locals in this region. For example, a clear sky and sun that dominates the Antigua skies provides the ultimate location for a relaxing sun bath for the tourists. However, for the locals, the same skies that tourists come to enjoy--indicate the lack of rainfall. The irony of poverty is that one group of individuals, which forms the smaller part of the relationship, enjoys what another group suffers from, and both parties appear to interact (Kincaid 30). The skies look attractive to the foreigners who do not worry about the looming drought which means that there will be the lack of food in the next harvest period. Lack of food translates to poverty. The author does not directly identify the poverty, but she allows the reader to point it out from the comparisons provided.
Sekula too does not speak of poverty in plain text. However, the work presented shows a close relationship with that of Kincaid in the use of narrative examples to depict the differences and reality of the poor and rich (Sekulu). The narrative presents the case of the minority groups that live along the waterfronts of the city. The marginalized and immigrant societies that mainly practice fishing as their economic activity along waterfront cities are suffering due to the global economy and the mistreatment by individuals from larger recognized communities. The gap in this case appears due to the long hours that these individuals work to make a little income and the short hours worked by other individuals to make much more money. The differences seem incomparable.
The real hustle is played out by the poor. The film displays the plight of different workers in the port cities. The question revolves around the future of the trade when a young and exploited cheap Chinese worker says no to the exploitation and the mistreatment (Sekulu). Will the trade end? The populations that can offer cheap labor according to the film are only the marginalized populations within the port cities. Therefore, with the rejection by the Chinese workers to work for little pay the economy in the transportation sector may face significant challenges.
Sekula does not suggest a single change to the problems faced by the poor community but the film remains adamant that something needs to change within the way labor in the ports is carried out (Sekulu). One of the possible solutions to the situation is a stand against the system that exploits the marginalized and poor communities that live along the ports and water ways. In this regard, the poor individuals will revolt and not offer cheap labor as desired by the tycoons in the business. It means that the business will lack servicemen and women and therefore the wages will rise in order to maintain and attract new workers.
Both authors portray the issue of poverty as one in which the suffering parties lack a solution on how to pull out from the situation. Their current situation has risen due to the oppression by the individuals who have more resources. The rich and poor appear to continue interacting while the rich seem to enjoy the relationship more than the poor. However, it is clear that the recommendation is to stand up and revolt against the system.
Works Cited
Kincaid, Jamaica. A Small Place. New York: Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 1988. Print.
Sekulu, Allan. The Forgotten Space. Icarus Films, 2010. DVD.
