The following term paper will be a comparison of Daniel Defoe´s Robinson Crusoe, which we discussed in class, and William Golding´s Lord of the flies. For most literary scholars the latter definitely is a robinsonade, which is a general term used for narrations and novels written and published after Defoe´s Robinson Crusoe. For others it is not seen as such, and some just see parts of this genre in the novel. Even if the opinions differ, it is obvious that there is a certain nearness to the robinsonades. Some aspects of the novel might make it difficult to arrange it into this genre. Conspicuous is that the different contributions are not drawn upon the same basics. The question that arises is: What is a robinsonade? This question is answered in different ways by the critics, so that this seems to be the real problem. There are considerations to this topic, which strongly lean on Daniel Defoe´s novel “Robinson Crusoe” , and which see the structure and aspects of this work not as a basis but as a guideline. Next to this there are other theories, which have a more unattached usage of this topic. They both have in common that there is no general consensus about a definition or a hold onto special criteria.
In the first part of my term paper I want to give a brief overview of the character of the robinsonade, the features of the genre, and I will present some examples I have chosen from the ocean of robinsonades that already exist. I will not refer to Defoe´s “Robinson Crusoe” in this part as much as I would like to, because this would blast my term paper. In the second part I will analyse Golding´s “Lord of the flies” in the respect of the worked out criteria, to find out whether it is a robinsonade or not. For this I will also have a deeper look in Defoe´s novel, so it will be a comparison of the novels “Lord of the flies” and “Robinson Crusoe”.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Robinsonades in general
- 3. Robinson Crusoe and Lord of the Flies: a Comparison
- 4. Conclusion
- 5. Bibliography
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper explores the connection between Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe and William Golding's Lord of the Flies, analyzing whether the latter can be considered a robinsonade. It aims to establish a clear definition of the robinsonade genre, considering its origins and evolution, and examines the extent to which Golding's novel aligns with its key features. The paper will also discuss the different interpretations and debates surrounding the genre.
- The definition and characteristics of the robinsonade genre.
- The role of isolation and survival in shaping the characters' experiences.
- The interplay between nature and civilization in the robinsonade narrative.
- The significance of the island setting as a place of exile or refuge.
- The exploration of human nature and its potential for both good and evil.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Chapter 1: Introduction This chapter introduces the topic of the term paper, outlining the comparison between Robinson Crusoe and Lord of the Flies. It highlights the debate surrounding the classification of Golding's novel as a robinsonade and emphasizes the need to define the genre.
- Chapter 2: Robinsonades in general This chapter delves into the origins and evolution of the robinsonade genre. It explores different definitions offered by scholars and highlights the key features that define the genre. Examples of robinsonades are provided, and the role of the island setting, the protagonist's experience of isolation, and the theme of survival are discussed.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This term paper explores the robinsonade genre, focusing on its definition, key features, and relationship to literary works like Robinson Crusoe and Lord of the Flies. It examines the concept of isolation, the impact of the island setting, the interplay between nature and civilization, and the complexities of human nature in the context of survival.
- Citar trabajo
- Julia Diedrich (Autor), 2006, The motif of robinsonades in 'Lord of the flies', Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/189299
