Robinson Crusoe Literary Criticism
Essay
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe is a tale based on the real survival of a Scottish merchant marooned on a Caribbean island during the early 1700s. In Expanding Empires, Expanding Selves : Colonialism, the novel and Robinson Crusoe by, Brett C. McInelly (2003 John Hopkins University Press). Brett C. McInelly, talks about British and European colonialism of the era, religious conversion, expansion of trade, and the mastering of oneself and destiny In the novel. Robinson Crusoe is a great example of literature, culture and European ideology of the 18th century. I agree with with McInelly (2003) on how the book makes colonialism and religious conversion a main theme of Robinson Crusoe. Furthermore how …show more content…
This continued colonialism is an important theme of the 18th century. “In Robinson Crusoe, Defoe transforms colonialism through the power of fictional representation into the adventures of a single man, who masters an island, his native companion and himself” (McInelly). I agree that Robinson Crusoe is a representation of colonial ideas and European ideology exaggerated. McInelly’s literary criticism of Robinson Crusoe is very accurate to the ideas and themes of the book and the era. This book is a good example of how far the world has come in ideas and morals since then. Defoe represents the power of European colonialism and the impact it had to the Americas. A good example of this is “My island was now peopled, and I thought myself very rich in subjects; and it was a merry reflection, which I frequently made, how like a king I looked. First of all, the whole country was my own mere property, Baso that I had an undoubted right of dominion. Secondly, my people were perfectly subjected. I was absolute lord and lawgiver, they all owed their lives to me, and were ready to lay down their lives, if there had been occasion of it, for me” (Defoe 234). Cursoe towards the end of the book has mastered the island to the point where he calls himself a “king”. This is a mixture of the idea that he has …show more content…
It may have outdated ideas and themes but that is a product of literature of the 18th century. Survival in the 1700s on a deserted island is the same as survival on a desert island today witch I find interesting. Except Crusoe had access to firearms. Throughout his time on the island, he relies heavily on a fowling piece (and un-rifled musket designed to use multiple round lead balls, this gave each ball less overall velocity, but it was designed to be used at close ranges similar to a shotgun) this gave him the biggest advantage on the island. I agree with McInally that colonialism and expansion of trade were some of the biggest themes of the novel. Defoe's was writing about what he knew and experienced. Also from the stories about the savageness and unforgiveness of the new world. The most important theme was the mastering of oneself and destiny before you can truly understand what is important to you and how you are going to live your life. Throughout crusoe's time of the island this continues,cultivates barley, rice and corn, builds a fort, domesticated goats, He kills the cannibals and rescues friday, reconnects to God and himself, and finally gets rescued. Only after mastering the whole island, Crusoe gets rescued. If you can't master your destiny or be comfortable where you are now, how will you ever move on and
Essay
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe is a tale based on the real survival of a Scottish merchant marooned on a Caribbean island during the early 1700s. In Expanding Empires, Expanding Selves : Colonialism, the novel and Robinson Crusoe by, Brett C. McInelly (2003 John Hopkins University Press). Brett C. McInelly, talks about British and European colonialism of the era, religious conversion, expansion of trade, and the mastering of oneself and destiny In the novel. Robinson Crusoe is a great example of literature, culture and European ideology of the 18th century. I agree with with McInelly (2003) on how the book makes colonialism and religious conversion a main theme of Robinson Crusoe. Furthermore how …show more content…
This continued colonialism is an important theme of the 18th century. “In Robinson Crusoe, Defoe transforms colonialism through the power of fictional representation into the adventures of a single man, who masters an island, his native companion and himself” (McInelly). I agree that Robinson Crusoe is a representation of colonial ideas and European ideology exaggerated. McInelly’s literary criticism of Robinson Crusoe is very accurate to the ideas and themes of the book and the era. This book is a good example of how far the world has come in ideas and morals since then. Defoe represents the power of European colonialism and the impact it had to the Americas. A good example of this is “My island was now peopled, and I thought myself very rich in subjects; and it was a merry reflection, which I frequently made, how like a king I looked. First of all, the whole country was my own mere property, Baso that I had an undoubted right of dominion. Secondly, my people were perfectly subjected. I was absolute lord and lawgiver, they all owed their lives to me, and were ready to lay down their lives, if there had been occasion of it, for me” (Defoe 234). Cursoe towards the end of the book has mastered the island to the point where he calls himself a “king”. This is a mixture of the idea that he has …show more content…
It may have outdated ideas and themes but that is a product of literature of the 18th century. Survival in the 1700s on a deserted island is the same as survival on a desert island today witch I find interesting. Except Crusoe had access to firearms. Throughout his time on the island, he relies heavily on a fowling piece (and un-rifled musket designed to use multiple round lead balls, this gave each ball less overall velocity, but it was designed to be used at close ranges similar to a shotgun) this gave him the biggest advantage on the island. I agree with McInally that colonialism and expansion of trade were some of the biggest themes of the novel. Defoe's was writing about what he knew and experienced. Also from the stories about the savageness and unforgiveness of the new world. The most important theme was the mastering of oneself and destiny before you can truly understand what is important to you and how you are going to live your life. Throughout crusoe's time of the island this continues,cultivates barley, rice and corn, builds a fort, domesticated goats, He kills the cannibals and rescues friday, reconnects to God and himself, and finally gets rescued. Only after mastering the whole island, Crusoe gets rescued. If you can't master your destiny or be comfortable where you are now, how will you ever move on and