The Tropics and the Traveling Gaze

The tropics have long been a popular destination for travelers from around the world. The warm climate, beautiful beaches, and lush vegetation offer a respite from the cold and dreary winters of the northern hemisphere. However, the tropics are also a region of great poverty and inequality. The traveling gaze often overlooks the challenges faced by the people who live in this region, and instead focuses on the idyllic scenery and the promise of a carefree vacation.

The Tropics and the Traveling Gaze: India, Landscape, and Science, 1800-1856 (Culture, Place, and Nature)

by Louise Fein

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2610 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	312 pages
Paperback	:	32 pages
Item Weight	:	2.72 ounces
Dimensions	:	6 x 0.08 x 9 inches

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The Colonial Gaze

The way that we see the tropics is shaped by a long history of colonialism. For centuries, the tropics were seen as a source of wealth and resources for the European powers. This view was reflected in the way that the tropics were depicted in art and literature. The tropics were often portrayed as a place of exotic beauty and danger, inhabited by primitive and savage people. This view served to justify the colonization of the tropics and the exploitation of its resources.

The Tourist Gaze

The tourist gaze is a more recent phenomenon, but it is no less shaped by colonialism. The tourist gaze is often focused on the superficial aspects of the tropics, such as the beautiful beaches and the lush vegetation. This gaze ignores the poverty and inequality that is also present in the tropics. The tourist gaze is a form of escapism, a way of forgetting about the problems of the real world and immersing oneself in a fantasy of paradise.

The Alternative Gaze

There is an alternative way to see the tropics, a way that is not shaped by colonialism or by the tourist gaze. This alternative gaze focuses on the people of the tropics, their cultures, and their struggles. This gaze recognizes the beauty of the tropics, but it also acknowledges the challenges that the people of the region face. This alternative gaze is a more honest and compassionate way to see the tropics.

The Future of the Tropics

The future of the tropics is uncertain. The region is facing a number of challenges, including climate change, poverty, and inequality. However, the tropics are also a region of hope. The people of the tropics are resilient and determined to build a better future for themselves. The alternative gaze can help to create a more just and sustainable future for the tropics.

The tropics are a diverse and complex region. The way that we see the tropics is shaped by a long history of colonialism and by the tourist gaze. However, there is an alternative way to see the tropics, a way that is focused on the people of the region and their struggles. This alternative gaze is a more honest and compassionate way to see the tropics, and it is a way that can help to create a more just and sustainable future for the region.

Further Reading

• The Tropics: A Journey Through a Land Beyond by David Rains Wallace
• The Tourist Gaze: Theory and Practice by John Urry
• The Alternative Gaze: A Guide to Photography and Power by Ian Berry

The Tropics and the Traveling Gaze: India, Landscape, and Science, 1800-1856 (Culture, Place, and Nature)

by Louise Fein

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2610 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	312 pages
Paperback	:	32 pages
Item Weight	:	2.72 ounces
Dimensions	:	6 x 0.08 x 9 inches

FREE