Although Antigua is a small place, throughout its history, the country's been ruled by all sorts of corrupt leaders—think: racist colonists, wealthy businesspeople, and corrupt tyrants. Ugh. In A Small Place, Kincaid traces the historical roots of Antigua's modern problems with less-than-optimistic results. Regardless, her straightforward approach teaches readers more about the nature of power than a million episodes of House of Cards or A Game of Thrones. Don't believe us? Read on.
Questions About Power
- In what ways did the British abuse their power over Antigua?
- Does Antigua's history affect the current power system in the country? Explain your answer.
- In what ways does Kincaid link unchecked capitalism with corrupt power?
- Who holds the most power in Antigua? Explain your answer.
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
In A Small Place, Jamaica Kincaid argues that the modern globalized economy helps tyrants dominate small countries like Antigua.
The legacy of English colonialism makes it all but impossible for Antigua to have non-corrupt governmental officials.