Robinson Crusoe

Robinson Crusoe

Books like this gives vision to understand past in a better way.This can be said an attempt to read history through literature.

It is a novel by Daniel Defoe. Title character goes for sea voyages, even though his parents denied. Then there was a shipwreck & he reaches on an island. There he starts living all alone, with a bird & animals but without any human companion.

The novel can be read from angle of colonialism as Whiteman's discovery of new land and establishing colony there. Crusoe makes his own hut and starts plantation there.

After few time he saves a Negro boy from other canibals. And because he arrived on friday, Crusoe gives him name "Friday". Crusoe makes him his slave.

Crusoe teaches him English language, and tries to civilize him. We can apply here concept of "Whiteman's burden". All the whiteman were thinking that it is their duty to civilize the world. They are the choosen people by god. They are the only civilized & superior race, the rest are the barbarians.

Slave trading is also a major issue brought into light by the writer. Before shipwreck Crusoe had faithful servant, but he sold him. For few amount of money he sold Friday also. It can be also read as criticism on slave mentality. Friday willingly accepts Crusoe's superiority. It is unbelievable that Friday puts Crusoe's foot on his head, to accept him as slave.

While living there Crusoe falls ill, and remembers his father & his last word that if you go for sea voyages, then you would be the most miserable person.

This dream sequence is very interesting.

From Post Colonial angle concept of Western superiority can be Deconstructed. Crusoe doesnt even tried to know about native boy's original identity. He threatens the Other with the power of gun.

After living there for many years, with the help of a arrived ship he returns home.