Theme of Colonialism in Robinson
Crusoe
Prepared by: Minkal Italiya
M.A English semester: 1
Batch: 2018-20
Enrollment No: 2069108420190020
Roll no: 26
Submitted to: Smt. S. B Gardi,
Department of English, MKBU
Paper no-2: Neo Classical Literature
Topic: Theme of Colonialism in
“Robinson Crusoe”
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Theme of Colonialism in Robinson
Crusoe
Introduction:-
The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventure of Robinson Crusoe is a novel by Daniel Defoe which was first published in 1719. Robinson Crusoe is Daniel Defoe’s first long fictional work in which he introduced two of the most enduring characters English Literature: Robinson Crusoe and Friday. Robinson Crusoe represents a prototype of a culture, a religion and an ideology. In Robinson Crusoe he stands for the English imperialism, Capitalism and colonialism. The story may be based on the life of Alexander Selkirk who was a Scottish castaway and lived for four years on a Pacific Island. This classic tale of adventure features cannibals, captives and mutinners. This long novel can be broken down into three major movements.
The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventure of Robinson Crusoe is a novel by Daniel Defoe which was first published in 1719. Robinson Crusoe is Daniel Defoe’s first long fictional work in which he introduced two of the most enduring characters English Literature: Robinson Crusoe and Friday. Robinson Crusoe represents a prototype of a culture, a religion and an ideology. In Robinson Crusoe he stands for the English imperialism, Capitalism and colonialism. The story may be based on the life of Alexander Selkirk who was a Scottish castaway and lived for four years on a Pacific Island. This classic tale of adventure features cannibals, captives and mutinners. This long novel can be broken down into three major movements.
Part I: Before the Island
Part II: Life on the Island
Part III: Escape from the Island
What is
Colonialism?
~ Colonialism
is defined as the establishment, maintenance, acquisition and expansion of
colonies in one territory by people from another territory.
~ In other
words colonialism is a policy in which a country rules other nations and
develop trade for its own benefit.
Colonialism in Robinson Crusoe
If we try to put this literary work in its proper context it
should be noted that in 1719 when Robinson Crusoe was published, England was
enjoying the prosperity of American colonies. As well as based upon the time in
which it was written Crusoe would have found the benefits of his country’s
“international policy” in keeping with his own capitalist endeavors. This novel
represented the theme in which Robinson Crusoe interacted with his Island and
then later with Friday.
Robinson left his motherland in quest of fortune which is one
of the prime motto of English colonization. He went to Brazil and owned a
plantation. In the search of more fortune, he went to the Africa to get slave
who could be work in his Brazil plantation because he wanted to expand his business.
On his way his ship being wrecked and being stranded and marooned in the Island
which was far from the rest of the world. In such condition he began his
struggle for existence as he was sole survivor on a deserted Island. Crusoe
attempted to replicates his own society or colony on the Island. On the Island
he stood his own empire with his own will. He domesticated goats as well as
also domesticated parrots on the Island. He planted not native species of
plants and he also brought dogs and cats on the Island.This had been possible
or achieved through application of some qualities which Crusoe had. Crusoe was
able to change the Island inhabitable to habitable because of his courage,
devotion and creativity.
Colonialism was also seen in his treatment towards Friday. In
fact the master- slave relation between colonizer (Crusoe) and colonized
(Friday) was illustrated when Robinson Crusoe first saved Friday for being
killed. Robinson saved the life of Friday and taught him language and all those
things, he did only because of his own benefits like colonialist. When Friday
was saved in the text it was written that.
“laid his head upon the ground, and
taking me by the foot, set my foot upon his head”.
This line represents the colonizing mentality of English people
where Robinson stands as the colonizer while Friday is the symbol of colonized.
Crusoe saved him and also taught him his own religion ‘Christianity’. He also
did not ask the boy’s real name whom he has saved but instantly gave him
western name Friday. The boy’s real identity lost somewhere and also did not
take in consideration. He also taught him to address him as a ‘master’.
Colonialism was also seen in how Crusoe treated Friday once
when they leaved the Island. Crusoe’s answer to prayer, one who he looked like
a son he civilized so that he could become a part of the great land of England,
not as a brother or friend but only as a servant.
……..my man Friday accompanying me
very honestly in all these ramblings, and proving a most faithful servant upon
all occasions.
Here Crusoe addressed Friday as my man which clearly
indicated a sense of ‘servility’ on Friday’s part and ‘ownership’ on Crusoe’s
part. Crusoe showed his ownership on Friday even though he was technically not
a slave. Whenever he described Friday as a ‘Negroes’ which was the indicator of
his racist attitude. We can see the clear representation of ‘colonization’ with
regard to Crusoe’s island. Robinson exercised his total authority over Friday
who must be obeyed to his master. Crusoe
has discovered and claimed the island in the same spirit as England’s explorer
and military leaders had claimed England’s own colonies. Robinson’s mission was
to preach. Crusoe wanted to impose his western culture, name language, religion
and even the habits on the simple living people of the Island. Regarding Friday
Crusoe commented:
“I was greatly delighted with him,
and made it my business to teach him everything that was proper to make him
useful, handy and helpful; but especially to make him speak and understand me
when I spoke…….”
There was a scene in novel in which Robinson tried to rid
Friday of his cannibalistic tendencies. Friday wanted to dig up corpses and ate
them and Robinson appeared very angry on him and showed his extreme
detestation. Robinson quickly changed his servant’s lifelong habit of eating
dead corpses by making him aware of self-conscious. Robinson’s fixed mindset
regarding the customs of other was a classic example of colonial ethnocentrism.
Other event which can
be served as an example of stripping Friday’s identity
and individualism. Robinson made clothes for Friday in which he felt awkward
and very difficult. Robinson noticed the discomfort caused by western clothes
but he did not have any sense of regret for causing it. Here we can see another
colonial mentality of Robinson. Friday’s agony was neglected and Robinson
praised himself for converting the savages into civilized people. Friday as
tied to him like those of father and son relation but Robinson could not see
the depth of reality which was that the relation of Robinson and Friday was
shifting to master and servant. So it can be said that Crusoe refashioned
himself and the island. His way of establishing gradual controlled over the
island and his treatment of Friday made him an archetype of colonization.
Crusoe not only took physical control of things but he also confirmed
linguistic and cultural dominance also. He also established his cultural
dominance on island as an ideal colonizer.
From Robinson’s harsh language to the through changed in
Friday’s life, those characters and those scenarios serves as an allegory of
the colonial process. Robinson represented the discriminatory colonist, and
Friday represented enslaved natives without identity. Robinson Crusoe’s harsh
language, his imposition of the name, habit, culture, religion upon Friday, the
mastering skill of Robinson, the complete change in Friday’s life, the setting up
of a new empire in the deserted island all represented the colonial process.
Conclusion:-
So we can say that Robinson Crusoe is a story in which Crusoe’s action symbolize what colonizers do when they come to ‘new’ lands. The title character Robinson represented the oppressor, discriminatory colonist and Friday stood for the oppressed, less-identity and suffered slave. Whatever Crusoe did on the island was classic colonialism.
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