Foe written by J. M. Coetzee is rewriting version of Robinson Crusoe, which is written by Danial Defoe. These two stories seem to be similar. However, there are some differences between foe and Robinson Crusoe. I classify the differences into three sections: main characters, main characters’ characteristic, story setting.
One difference between Robinson Crusoe and Foe is main character. In Robinson Crusoe, there are two main characters. It is Robinson Crusoe and Friday. However, there are 4 main characters in Foe, which is Cruso, Friday, Susan Barton, and Foe. Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe corresponds to Coetzee’s Cruso but unlike Defoe’s Crusoe, Coetzee’s Cruso doesn’t have spelling ‘e’ at the end of the name. Defoe’s Friday is equivalent to Coetzee’s …show more content…
In colonial period, women right was bad. They regarded as subject of man so they don’t have to vote, buy or sell property, and act as a guardian. Also, men dominated them and they give the birth to the 8 babies, averagely. However, in a part which I read in Foe, Susan doesn’t have a baby and she seems to be a guardian of Friday. I can find the clues in the story, “The sailor’s blouse and pantaloons I wore on board ship I have given to Friday” (128) and “While he works I teach him the names of things. I hold up a spoon and say “Spoon, Friday!” and give the spoon into his hand” (129). In addition, unlike colonial women, Susan isn’t ruled by Cruso and criticize him. The clues are Susan mentions, “Why a man so fearful of cannibals should have neglected to arm himself” (127) and “As for cannibals, I am not persuaded, despite Cruso’s gears, that there are cannibals in those ocean” (127). Like this, Susan blame Cruso’s negligence and doesn’t follow Cruso’s of cannibals. Furthermore, Susan try to live by herself, selling her story to Foe who is writer. The clue is Susan tells Friday, “Mr. Foe is weaving into a story which will make us famous throughout the land, and rich too” (129). Nevertheless, at the end of the story, Foe steal Susan and Friday’s story. I think Coetzee indicated a limitation of women right from this. Women may be a guardian, but they can’t be a earn and lives by their own at that
One difference between Robinson Crusoe and Foe is main character. In Robinson Crusoe, there are two main characters. It is Robinson Crusoe and Friday. However, there are 4 main characters in Foe, which is Cruso, Friday, Susan Barton, and Foe. Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe corresponds to Coetzee’s Cruso but unlike Defoe’s Crusoe, Coetzee’s Cruso doesn’t have spelling ‘e’ at the end of the name. Defoe’s Friday is equivalent to Coetzee’s …show more content…
In colonial period, women right was bad. They regarded as subject of man so they don’t have to vote, buy or sell property, and act as a guardian. Also, men dominated them and they give the birth to the 8 babies, averagely. However, in a part which I read in Foe, Susan doesn’t have a baby and she seems to be a guardian of Friday. I can find the clues in the story, “The sailor’s blouse and pantaloons I wore on board ship I have given to Friday” (128) and “While he works I teach him the names of things. I hold up a spoon and say “Spoon, Friday!” and give the spoon into his hand” (129). In addition, unlike colonial women, Susan isn’t ruled by Cruso and criticize him. The clues are Susan mentions, “Why a man so fearful of cannibals should have neglected to arm himself” (127) and “As for cannibals, I am not persuaded, despite Cruso’s gears, that there are cannibals in those ocean” (127). Like this, Susan blame Cruso’s negligence and doesn’t follow Cruso’s of cannibals. Furthermore, Susan try to live by herself, selling her story to Foe who is writer. The clue is Susan tells Friday, “Mr. Foe is weaving into a story which will make us famous throughout the land, and rich too” (129). Nevertheless, at the end of the story, Foe steal Susan and Friday’s story. I think Coetzee indicated a limitation of women right from this. Women may be a guardian, but they can’t be a earn and lives by their own at that