Robinson Crusoe, renowned for his resilience and resourcefulness, has been revered as a literary icon for centuries. Daniel Defoe's novel depicts the tale of a shipwrecked mariner who establishes himself as the ruler of a deserted island, captivating readers with his narrative of survival.
However, over time, perceptions of Crusoe and his exploits have shifted. Once celebrated as a symbol of bravery, his story is now understood as a reflection of deeper societal issues, particularly the ideologies of colonialism.
In this essay, the colonial narrative present within Defoe's work will be examined, with a focus on its implications for the dominance of Crusoe over his companion, Friday. By analyzing Crusoe's beliefs and actions, the factors driving his quest for control on the island will be uncovered.
Different definitions of colonialism will first be explored to provide context for the analysis. Subsequently, the role of religion in shaping Crusoe's worldview and his relationship with Friday will be investigated. Additionally, the power dynamics between master and slave in the narrative will be examined.
Furthermore, comparisons will be drawn between Crusoe's narrative and other works such as Asterix and Obelix and Don Quixote to gain insights into similar themes of dominance and otherness.
Ultimately, this essay aims to unravel the complexities of Robinson Crusoe and its reflection of colonial ideologies. By critically examining the dynamics of power within the text, a better understanding can be gained of its enduring significance in shaping our understanding of history and society.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Discussing Definitions of Colonialism
3 The Importance of Religion on the Island
4 Creating the Dualism between Master and Slave
5 Projecting on the Protagonist and the Savage ‘Other’ in Alternative Works
5.1 Asterix and Obelix
5.2 Don Quixote and Sancho Panza
6 Conclusion
7 Works Cited
Research Objectives and Themes
This thesis examines the colonial narrative within Daniel Defoe's "Robinson Crusoe", specifically investigating how such narratives reinforce the dominance of Crusoe over the character of Friday by dissecting the ideals of hierarchy, religion, and the perceived dualism between master and slave.
- Examination of colonial definitions and their historical societal impact.
- Analysis of the role of religion in legitimizing colonial dominance.
- Study of the master/slave dualism and its construction in Western fictional narratives.
- Comparative analysis of how Western fiction uses the "savage other" to solidify colonial power structures.
Excerpt from the Book
4 Creating the Dualism between Master and Slave
Even with Crusoe establishing himself a stable source of food and bending the elements with his will, the desire to leave the deserted island and to return to his cherished society grows with in him. However, he concludes, "[his] only Way to go about an Attempt for an Escape, was, if possible, to get a Savage into [his] Possession" (Defoe 144), so that someone could help him. Therefore, when witnessing the persecution of one of the native inhabitants by others, he senses his opportunity, defends the pursued ‘savage’ and makes him, upon noticing his determination of displaying gratitude, his slave. Furthermore and without hesitating, he provides Friday with a name that he picked himself, even though he clearly knows that Friday must already have one. This again highlights the "idea of a human being as an item of private property" (Cohen 12), representing "an act not of condescension or proprietorially but of natural European tenderness" (ibid). Cohen (cf. Cohen 11) indicates that, by giving Friday an English name that does not even fit the possibility of names, he arranges the ‘savage’ into the structured world of colonialism. Not only does Crusoe think that he saved Friday’s life, he assumes that he brought him into the world.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Introduces the thematic focus on colonial narratives and power structures in Daniel Defoe's work.
2 Discussing Definitions of Colonialism: Explores historical and societal definitions of colonialism and the role of inter- and intragroup domination.
3 The Importance of Religion on the Island: Analyzes how conversion to Christianity serves as a tool for legitimizing Crusoe's status and colonial mindsets.
4 Creating the Dualism between Master and Slave: Investigates how the relationship between Crusoe and Friday is constructed as a hierarchy based on colonial objectification.
5 Projecting on the Protagonist and the Savage ‘Other’ in Alternative Works: Discusses how other literary works, specifically comics and novels, echo colonial dualisms.
5.1 Asterix and Obelix: Analyzes the depiction of the 'other' within the context of the Asterix series.
5.2 Don Quixote and Sancho Panza: Explores how Cervantes' work displays colonial power dynamics similar to those found in Robinson Crusoe.
6 Conclusion: Summarizes the findings on how the colonial narrative was used to justify the subjugation of indigenous peoples.
7 Works Cited: A bibliography of the academic sources utilized for the thesis.
Keywords
Colonialism, Robinson Crusoe, Master and Slave, Religion, Christianity, Friday, Savage, Other, Dualism, Narrative, Domination, Intergroup domination, Western society, Hierarchy, Imperialism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this thesis?
The thesis explores the colonial narrative and ideological structures presented in Daniel Defoe's "Robinson Crusoe", focusing on how these narratives justify colonial dominance.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The primary themes include the definition and history of colonialism, the role of religious conversion in justification, and the construction of the master/slave hierarchy.
What is the primary objective of this research?
The goal is to analyze to what extent the colonial narrative in the book fosters the dominance of the protagonist Crusoe over the character Friday.
Which scientific method is utilized in this paper?
The author utilizes a literary analysis and theoretical approach, referencing historical definitions of colonialism and cross-analyzing fictional narratives, such as works by Defoe, Cervantes, and comic series.
What is the focus of the main content chapters?
The main chapters systematically break down the concepts of colonialism, evaluate the strategic use of religion, and detail the psychological and physical construction of the master/slave relationship.
Which keywords characterize this paper?
Key terms include colonialism, master and slave relationship, religious legitimation, Western ideals, and the representation of the 'savage other'.
How does the author define the relationship between Crusoe and Friday?
The author argues that the relationship is not one of genuine companionship, but one of subjugation where Friday is treated as an item of private property under the guise of colonial necessity.
Why does the research examine "Asterix and Obelix" and "Don Quixote"?
These works serve as comparative studies to demonstrate that the dualism between the "civilized" hero and the "savage other" is a recurring rhetorical and narrative strategy in literature to reinforce colonial social orders.
- Quote paper
- Niklas Richter (Author), 2019, Colonial Dynamics in Robinson Crusoe. Assessing Dominance and Otherness between Crusoe and Friday, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1452401
