Monday, September 17, 2007
King of his own island?
At the end the chapter labelled, "We March Out Against the Cannibals," in the Signet version of Defoe's novel, Crusoe's reflection of his peopled island had me reconsidering how true a character/narrator he was. With Friday, Friday's father, and the Spainard all under his care, Crusoe had no trouble in mentioning his "kingly" complex. And I guess that's what bothers me the most. One would think that a man stuck on an island for some twenty-odd years with no human contact would welcome his current situation with an ounce of humility and truckloads of gratefulness (which I'm sure he expressed). Apparaently the European imperialistic way of thinking was deeply ingrained in Crusoe, as he took great pride in being the "absolute lord and lawgiver." I'm not saying there's anything wrong with this way of thinking; especially during the period when the novel was written. I just wanted to point out that such thoughts of superiority in being English and in Crusoe's religious faith were still present in his character. And here I was thinking that after years of reflection, prayer, and living a lonesome life that he would have taken a bite out of the humble pie.
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2 comments:
You are not alone in reacting to this inconsistency--I personally think it is one of the major questions posed by the novel.
I Belive it is also importent to
note why he has this complex, Besides being locked away on a islan, Cruso has built up the islan raising crop and learning how to survive, so when he gets these new subjects he must feel he they are there for him to rule and lead. though this too can be braught from the imperialistic out look, as the superior countries felt it was their right to subjecate and "improve" the lives of the lesser
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