The “foot” is a leading theme in Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe . The father of a friendly seaman told Robinson that he would “not set [his] foot in the same ship with [him] again for a thousand pounds” . There were “no footsteps of any human creature in that part of the country” where Robinson first landed with his boy Xury. In addition the shoes of his fellow seaman that drowned after the shipwreck have no feet in them. So there was no life and there were no fellows. But when Robinson Crusoe discovered a fresh footprint in the wet sand, he knew that there was another living creature on the island al-though he had not seen anybody. Probably he had to face contact with someone. Probably this footprint could change his life.
Such footprints cross today’s peoples’ lives, too. Men of our times often see “signs” of other creatures without knowing who they are or if they are still here. These signs need not to be real foot-prints; they also can be figurative ones: crop circles, reports of UFO observations or vestiges of water on Mars. We are afraid of these “footprints”, we are afraid of “the other”. Those footprints are able to change our lives. No one knows if there are other living creatures in the universe. We only can assume that -- if there is for example water -- living is possible. We picture the others to be green men; but we only can assume.
The footprint in the sand is for Robinson absolute proof of the existence of another human being. Religious people have the imagina-tion of a special “Other”, they see “footprints” of God, covering the whole world, and declare them as proof of the existence of a Master.
But whose footprint was pressed in the sand on Robinson’s is-land? Which consequences had Robinson to face? Is there a relation between the discovery of the footprint and the discovery of extra-terrestrial beings? In this term paper I try to answer these ques-tions. The sources of literature adequate for my topic are rare. Therefore I have three main sources: For the first part: the essays by Peter Hulme and Wolfgang Mackiewicz; and for the second part: Wir alle sind Kinder der Götter, Wenn Gräber reden könnten by Erich von Däniken.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Robinson’s discovery of the footprint and following consequences
3. Our discovery of “footprints” and possible consequences
4. Are we all modern Robinsons?
5. Literature Summary
Objectives and Themes
This paper explores the psychological and existential impact of the "footprint" motif in Daniel Defoe's "Robinson Crusoe," drawing parallels between Robinson's encounter with the unknown and contemporary human fascination with extraterrestrial life and "the other."
- Analysis of Robinson Crusoe's fear and reaction to discovering an unknown footprint.
- Examination of the psychological shift from pragmatism to religious reflection.
- Comparison of literary "otherness" with modern UFO phenomena and space exploration.
- Discussion on how fear of the unknown influences human perception of existence.
Excerpt from the Book
Robinson’s discovery of the footprint and following consequences
Robinson Crusoe, the only survivor of a shipwreck, ran ashore a deserted island. When he discovered the footprint he has been living there for nearly 15 years. On that day he went to a boat which he built before to discover the other side of the island. There he saw the print of a naked foot in the sand.
Robinson actually sad “a man’s naked foot”. According to Anderson Robinson “was not able to think about an individual”. At that very moment he could only assign the footprint to some human being.
Robinson is surprised by the sight of that footprint as if he had seen an “apparition”. He has a look-around and tries to find the person who left behind the trace but soon he finds out that he is “all one”. Therefore Robinson is terrified to the last degree. As he goes back to his fort he feels persecuted, puzzled, and has a kind of black-out. “[M]any wild ideas” whir in his head and he is afraid of any kind of moving thing, as he thinks it could be a man.
Before he discovered the footprint he drew the balance about his adaption, how well his crop grew and how satisfying he benefited from his flock. Afterwards he sees his life in danger. He has arrived on the starting point of his life on the island -- his fear of surviving is overwhelming him in a negative way: He cannot sleep, feels terror, and although he gets “farther […] from the occasion of [his] fright” his “apprehensions become greater”. With the episode of the footprint the tension of the action increases, the period of Robinson’s greatest fear begins. Robinson hardly remembers how he fled into his “castle” as he calls his fort till now. He is transformed into a man “beside himself”. The image of the footprint is pressed into is mind like the real footprint, pressed in the sand.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction establishes the "foot" as a central motif in Defoe’s novel and outlines the author's intent to link Robinson’s discovery of the footprint to broader human questions about the unknown and extraterrestrial life.
2. Robinson’s discovery of the footprint and following consequences: This chapter analyzes Robinson’s visceral fear and pragmatic responses following his discovery, detailing his shift from security to anxiety and his changing relationship with God and providence.
3. Our discovery of “footprints” and possible consequences: This section explores how Erich von Däniken’s theories about extraterrestrial visits mirror our contemporary urge to explain mysterious historical "footprints" or "signs" in nature and religion.
4. Are we all modern Robinsons?: The final chapter draws a direct parallel between the isolated Robinson Crusoe and modern humanity, suggesting that our curiosity and fear regarding space exploration reflect the same psychological struggle with "the other."
5. Literature Summary: This section provides a comprehensive list of all primary and secondary sources referenced throughout the paper.
Keywords
Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Defoe, footprint, otherness, extraterrestrial life, providence, isolation, pragmatism, fear, Erich von Däniken, human existence, mystery, sociology, literature, psychology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper examines the psychological and existential consequences of the footprint discovery in "Robinson Crusoe" and relates this literary theme to the modern human search for extraterrestrial life.
What are the primary thematic areas?
The main themes include literary analysis of 18th-century narratives, the philosophy of "the other," the role of religion during crises, and contemporary fascination with unexplainable phenomena like UFOs.
What is the main research question?
The research question asks whether modern society reacts to the possibility of extraterrestrial life in the same way Robinson Crusoe reacted to the unexpected discovery of a footprint on his island.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author uses a comparative literary approach, analyzing passages from Defoe’s novel and bridging them with cultural and theoretical essays by authors like Peter Hulme, Wolfgang Mackiewicz, and Erich von Däniken.
What does the main body cover?
The main body covers the immediate psychological impact on Robinson, the interpretation of the footprint as a religious vs. practical dilemma, and the broader, historical comparisons to modern space-age anxieties.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include Robinson Crusoe, otherness, providence, extraterrestrial life, isolation, and fear of the unknown.
How does Robinson’s view of the footprint change throughout the book?
Initially, the footprint causes Robinson terror and a loss of safety; later, he attempts to use reason to dismiss it, and eventually, he finds a sense of comfort in religious providence.
Why does the author cite Erich von Däniken?
Von Däniken is cited to illustrate how modern humanity seeks for "footprints" of extraterrestrial "gods" in history, mirroring Robinson’s desire to understand the "other" on his island.
Does the paper reach a definitive conclusion about "the other"?
The paper suggests that while "the other" remains frightening and mysterious, humanity’s inherent curiosity ensures that we continue to seek answers about what lies beyond our current world.
- Quote paper
- Juliane Schicker (Author), 2004, Are we all modern Robinsons?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/82395
