The following paper deals with cannibals. A topic which is very unlikely to concern the normal European citizen of today, yet the thought of people consuming other people is fascinating, for it seems to follow mankind throughout its history, in culture and also to a great deal in literature.
Surprisingly, it never seems to occur in front of our eyes, and only very seldom a reliable witness for such practises can be found. It is something that happens on the borders and in the shadows of societies. Nobody can imagine that anyone could openly confess or practise cannibalism, without being persecuted to the fullest extent of the given law. Cannibalism is considered a horrible crime that touches us deeply and which cannot be forgiven. Committing it is not only a huge crime against our moral standards, it often goes hand in hand with other crimes like murder and various pervert behaviour. Whoever commits this crime may not even be considered human anymore and may be treated like an animal, for it seems to be the ultimate borderline between men and beasts. It therefore can also be used as an instrument of defaming others, because unfortunately the basic principle of in dubio pro reo does not work here. Once accused, it is very hard to get rid of the fame of a crime that is generally considered to take place unseen...
Table of Contents
- 1) Introduction
- 2) A general survey of the topic
- (a) Cannibalism - a definition
- (b) Historical facts
- (c) Cannibalism in literature tradition
- (d) The wandering myth
- 3) Cannibalism in Robinson Crusoe
- (a) Robinson's views on the man-eaters
- (b) A footprint in the sand
- (c) Robinson's encounters with the cannibals
- 4) Cannibalism in Life of Pi
- (a) The French cook's cannibalism
- (b) Pi's cannibalisms
- i. Pi's nutritious cannibalism
- ii. Who is Richard Parker?
- iii. Pi's juridical cannibalism
- 5) Comparison
- 6) Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines the motif of cannibalism in two novels: Daniel Defoe's *Robinson Crusoe* and Yann Martel's *Life of Pi*. The objective is to compare and contrast the authors' uses of this motif, exploring their similarities and differences. A brief historical overview of cannibalism is also provided to contextualize the literary explorations. * The definition and variations of cannibalism. * Historical instances of cannibalism. * The portrayal of cannibalism in *Robinson Crusoe*. * The portrayal of cannibalism in *Life of Pi*. * A comparison of the cannibalism motif across both novels.Chapter Summaries
1) Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper, establishing the unusual yet fascinating nature of cannibalism as a topic. It highlights the rarity of witnessed cannibalistic acts and the societal stigma surrounding it, emphasizing its status as a deeply disturbing and unforgivable crime. The introduction then introduces the two novels, *Robinson Crusoe* and *Life of Pi*, which both feature the cannibalism motif, and outlines the paper's aim: to analyze the authors' usage of this motif, highlighting commonalities and differences in their portrayals. The chapter concludes by mentioning key reference materials used in the research. 2) A general survey of the topic: This chapter delves into the definition and variations of cannibalism, distinguishing between anthropophagy (human cannibalism) and cannibalism (which encompasses animal consumption as well). It categorizes different forms of cannibalism based on motivation: mythical, religious, ritualistic, cannibalism out of fear, magical, juridical, and nutritious. The chapter further explores historical examples of cannibalism, including evidence from prehistoric cultures, the Andes plane crash survivors, and incidents in Russian labor camps, contrasting these examples of survival cannibalism with the highly publicized case of the "Cannibal of Rothenburg." 3) Cannibalism in Robinson Crusoe: This chapter focuses on Defoe's *Robinson Crusoe*, analyzing how the motif of cannibalism is presented within the narrative. It explores Robinson Crusoe's perspective on the cannibals he encounters, examining his initial reactions and his evolving understanding of their actions. The chapter delves into specific incidents of encounter with the cannibals and explores how Crusoe's encounters with the cannibals shape his own worldview and survival strategies. The analysis considers the significance of cannibalism within the broader context of the novel's themes of survival, isolation, and the clash of cultures. 4) Cannibalism in Life of Pi: This chapter analyzes Martel's *Life of Pi*, concentrating on the diverse representations of cannibalism in the story. It explores the cannibalism of the French cook, contrasting it with Pi's own experiences. The chapter differentiates between Pi's "nutritious cannibalism" as a desperate act of survival, the ambiguous nature of Richard Parker's role (potentially representing a cannibalistic aspect), and the "juridical cannibalism" that is implied within the narrative. The chapter carefully considers the role of storytelling and ambiguity within Martel's work as it relates to the theme of cannibalism and the nature of truth.Keywords
Cannibalism, anthropophagy, Robinson Crusoe, Life of Pi, Daniel Defoe, Yann Martel, literary motif, survival, cultural clash, historical context, religious cannibalism, nutritious cannibalism, juridical cannibalism, magical cannibalism.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comparative Analysis of Cannibalism in Robinson Crusoe and Life of Pi
What is the main topic of this academic paper?
This paper focuses on a comparative analysis of the motif of cannibalism in Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe and Yann Martel's Life of Pi. It explores how the authors use this theme, highlighting similarities and differences in their portrayals, and places these literary uses within a broader historical and cultural context.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include the definition and variations of cannibalism (including anthropophagy), historical instances of cannibalism, the portrayal of cannibalism in both Robinson Crusoe and Life of Pi, and a comparison of the cannibalism motif across the two novels. The paper also touches on survival, cultural clashes, and the ambiguity of truth in storytelling.
What types of cannibalism are discussed?
The paper categorizes cannibalism based on motivation, including mythical, religious, ritualistic, cannibalism out of fear, magical, juridical, and nutritious cannibalism. The analysis differentiates between these types as they appear in both novels.
How is cannibalism portrayed in Robinson Crusoe?
The paper analyzes Robinson Crusoe's perspective on the cannibals he encounters, tracing his evolving understanding of their actions and the impact of these encounters on his worldview and survival strategies. It examines specific incidents and considers the significance of cannibalism within the broader context of the novel's themes of survival, isolation, and cultural clash.
How is cannibalism portrayed in Life of Pi?
The analysis of Life of Pi explores the diverse representations of cannibalism, including the cannibalism of the French cook and Pi's own experiences. It distinguishes between Pi's "nutritious cannibalism" as a survival act, the ambiguous role of Richard Parker (potentially representing a cannibalistic aspect), and the implied "juridical cannibalism." The role of storytelling and ambiguity in Martel's work is also considered.
What is the purpose of the historical overview of cannibalism?
The historical overview provides context for the literary explorations. It examines examples from prehistoric cultures, the Andes plane crash survivors, Russian labor camps, and the case of the "Cannibal of Rothenburg," contrasting survival cannibalism with other forms.
What is the overall structure of the paper?
The paper is structured as follows: Introduction, A general survey of the topic, Cannibalism in Robinson Crusoe, Cannibalism in Life of Pi, Comparison, and Conclusion. Each chapter provides a detailed analysis of the relevant aspects of cannibalism within the selected novels and the historical context.
What are the key keywords associated with this paper?
Key words include: Cannibalism, anthropophagy, Robinson Crusoe, Life of Pi, Daniel Defoe, Yann Martel, literary motif, survival, cultural clash, historical context, religious cannibalism, nutritious cannibalism, juridical cannibalism, magical cannibalism.
- Quote paper
- Florian Widmann (Author), 2008, The motive of the cannibal in Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe and Martel’s Life of Pi, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/126685
