Island Canvas: Caribbean Culture and Literature in the Visitor Economy Restricted; Files & ToC

Abstract

This dissertation argues that the effects of climate change in the Caribbean necessitate a critical examination of the historical relationship between tourism, colonialism, art, and national identity. Building on the work of Marina Reyes-Franco, Rocío Zambrana, M. Jacqui Alexander, and Ian Strachan, I show how debt, the visitor economy regime, and regulated state formations perpetuate the construction of paradise, which often exploits Black, Queer, Trans, femme, and impoverished Caribbean individuals. Using this theoretical framework, I analyze the literature and media of contemporary Puerto Rican and Caribbean artists and writers, including Bad Bunny, Chuwi, Mayra Santos-Febres, Nicole Dennis-Benn, among others, to demonstrate that the concept of the Caribbean paradise has become central to these artists, whether they subvert or reinforce its meaning. Studying the production of paradise by artists, local governments and foreign investments is crucial because it often leads to the gentrification of communities while prioritizes the well-being of typically white American tourists and settlers. This dissertation connects current gentrification efforts to a longstanding history of colonial displacement reiterated through urban renewal projects, colonial expansion, and industrial revolutions. 

Table of Contents

This table of contents is under embargo until 20 August 2032

About this Dissertation

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Laney Graduate School
Department	Comparative Literature
Degree	Ph.D.
Submission	Dissertation
Language	English
Research Field	Climate Change Caribbean Studies Literature, Comparative
Keyword	caribbean studies mobility media studies tourism ecocriticism
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Valérie Loichot, Emory University
Committee Members	Zorimar Rivera Montes, Tulane University Ronald Mendoza-De Jesús, Emory University Sean Meighoo, Emory University

Last modified

Primary PDF

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions
	File download under embargo until 20 August 2032	2026-07-10 18:16:36 -0400	File download under embargo until 20 August 2032

Supplemental Files

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions