Colonialism in Robinson Crusoe

英语2103金灿

Robinson Crusoe reveals racial and colonial superiority. The character of Robinson Crusoe is representative of the English bourgeoisie at the earlier stages of its development. He is most practical and exact, always religious and at the same time mindful of his own profit. Robinson’s every voyage is connected with some commercial enterprise. He owns a plantation where coloured slaves are exploited. Defoe’s bourgeois outlook manifests itself in the fact that he does not condemn Negro-slavery in his book. Though Robinson labours for his own existence, yet as soon as a native makes his appearance on the island, Robinson assumes the role of a master. “Master” is the first word Friday learns from Robinson. Here lies colonization in germ.

英语小说韩璟

Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe considers the general effect of post-colonization which is based on a critical study of the cultural legacy of colonialism and imperialism, focusing on the human consequences of the control and exploitation of colonized people, and their lands. Therefore, from a post-colonial perspective, the value of identity and ownership tend to rely on the opinion and viewpoint of ‘Robinson Crusoe’, who like any Western man during this period, believed in white supremacy until his misfortunate arrival on the ‘Island of Despair’ or some distant Caribbean Island awakens his senses and understanding of the broader world which ultimately creates his own identity as a devout Christian, only subjected to the will of God. Most importantly, the religious effect on this novel is important since it demonstrates that a spiritual awakening can occur in a location of isolation, ‘barren’ and the absence of, ‘human society.’ Overall, Robinson Crusoe creates an important insight into postcolonialism and how the superiority and ownership derived from European empires brought about the changes in these unknown locations.