In
, the title characters attitude toward slavery is one of acceptance. Crusoe
was operating as a slave trader, accompanying a ship from Brazil to Africa, when he himself was
captured and enslaved. He also owned a slave, Xury, and upon selling him, worried about his
subsequent treatmentbut sold him nonetheless. The excesses of specific slave owners, not the
system itself, are of concern to Crusoe.
It is Crusoes relationship with
Friday that has drawn the most attention, as it occupies a sizable portion of the book. Crusoes
generally colonialist attitude, declaring himself king of the island, is consistent with his
paternalist attitude toward Friday....
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