The Price of Paradise: Social Stratification in The White Lotus (Season 1)
The first season of HBO’s The White Lotus , created by Mike White, serves as a sharp satirical examination of the "hostage economy" inherent in luxury tourism. Set against the lush backdrop of a fictional Hawaiian resort, the series strips away the idyllic veneer of vacationing to expose the brutal power dynamics of class, race, and wealth. This paper explores how the show uses its ensemble cast and confined setting to demonstrate that in a neoliberal world, the personal fulfillment of the elite is often purchased at the expense of the working class. The Illusion of Service: Armond and the Mask of Hospitality The White Lotus (2021) Season 1 S01 (1080p AMZN...