Monday, June 10, 2019

Where does the theme of colonialism come into play in Robinson Crusoe?

As others
have noted, the chief way colonialism is exhibited in this novel is through Crusoe's treatment
of Friday, the native whose life he saves.

Crusoe has unquestioned feelings
of superiority over Friday and evaluates him by European norms, approving of his physical
appearance, for example, because his features and darker coloring conform to a European notion
of intelligence and attractiveness. Crusoe also fails to show an interest in Friday's culture or
religion but assumes Friday should and will conform to his culture as more "advanced."
Like a typical colonialist, Crusoe gives this native a European name, converts him to
Christianity, and makes him his slave (although his rule is benign and friendly). Crusoe never
interrogates whether it is right to treat Friday as an inferior: the idea that Friday might be
an equal or have something to teach him never seems to even remotely cross his mind. (The 1960s
retelling of the story by Michel Tournier, called Friday , is a fascinating
take...

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