In 1493, Christopher Columbus became the first European to visit Antigua on his second voyage. He named it Antigua after the Santa Maria de la Antigua, an icon found in Seville's cathedral. Sir Thomas Warner from England was able to colonize the island in 1632 by starting plantations that included tobacco and sugarcane. Warner also introduced slavery to the island. Slaves from West Africa worked on these plantations. Antigua became known as the English Harbourtown for its great location in the Caribbean. In 1834 slavery was finally abolished, but black peoples' economic conditions failed to improve due to “land shortages and the universal refusal of credit”.[2]
In her work, Jamaica Kincaid presents her own perspective on her home country, Antigua, while it was under colonial rule and self-governance. She focuses on the impact of tourism and government corruption, both of which became prevalent after independence, on the citizens of Antigua and the consequent changes/continuity in their lives. This social critique led it being described as "an enraged essay about racism and corruption in Antigua" by one reviewer.[3] Kincaid is very unapologetic in her critique of these times, and challenges readers to face the reality and uncomfortable truths of power and oppression.
