As we discussed in class the meanings of othering, identity, in group, out group, perspective and location, the task of watching The Rum Diary and use these terms to discuss the movie was assigned. We meet Paul Kemp a failed American writer that ends up getting a job in local newspaper in San Juan. Sala tries to get him acclimated and after checking in in the Hotel they start to drink alcohol. They are then immediately othered by the editor of the newspaper who believes he is better than those two alcoholics. The identity of this new man in town is judge pretty quickly by his co-workers. Chenault, the woman who caught Kemp's attention early on in the movie and who met him already, out groups Kemp by pretending to meet him once again. Because she is now with her fiance Chenault complete changes her perspective towards this man.
As time passes, Kemp starts to understand the perspective of the locals. San Juan is not all about tourism and sightseeing he realizes the poverty that affects the people living here. He starts to understand their true location and their perspective in the whole tourism business. He also understands what the newspaper wants him to be and who's side he should take. In order to keep his job Kemp must stay in group with his superiors and remove any type of sympathy for the people. He must keep his perspective in tune with promoting tourism and othering the poor. Moburg finds left over filter from a rum plant and his alcoholic friends join him. He rants about killing his boss, because he was fired.
Kemp decides to participate in a real estate scam along with Chenault's fiance and Sala. They end up in jail after a fight. Kemp gets to see the poverty, not only in San Juan, but everywhere else as he heads towards the pier to go to St. Thomas. After a lot of drama, Kemp and Sala are thrown out of the deal, and when they return they find out the newspaper is closing. Under the influence of drugs Kemp decides to change his perspective and write an article about the shady deals and poverty. They obtain he money to publish by winning a cock fight, but they are wanted by the police. Kemp doesn't give up and leaves the island on a boat. He later publishes his articles in Ne York finding his voice and earning success.
I agree with what you say, "Kemp starts to understand the perspective of the locals". He does get in a point of his life were he sees life as the locals. After living there and understanding their circumstances.
ReplyDeleteExactly. He started living like an insider in our island. This attitude provided him the ability to change his perspective.
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