Sanderson - Mosquito coast

I really like the way Mosquito Coast was set up. I found it interesting that it wasn’t really put together like most films and that drew me in. There was an obvious representation of imperialism and how they are represented differently.

            Allie Fox and Spellgood are both put in similar positions. They are both considered the leaders of fathers by their followers. Fox in the beginning seems to not have interest in being the leader. He seems to want to be on the same level as the others around him. He has a way of getting the people to trust him and they take a liking to him. He reminded me of a politician in the way that he got the people on his side. He doesn’t stand by his promise to be working with the people because he eventually has control over the food and the ice. He uses his political ways to manipulate the people and make them trust him. He uses their trust for him against them.

            Reverend Spellgood represents imperialism in the religious form. He goes to Central America with the intention of converting the people to Christianity. He, like Fox, promises them things. He vows salvation if they convert to Christianity. Spellgood uses a TV to show his sermons and the people of the village watch it. It seems like brainwashing to have them just sit and watch his message.

Spellgood and Fox use promises to these people to have a control over them. They don’t view the people on the same level as them. They use the peoples ignorance to get them to do what they want. They use their power to be able to use the people to their advantage.