Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe - King of Nothing

by **Admin** Fri Mar 25 2011, 18:19

Robinson Crusoe is said to be the first realistic novel ever, an it is written by Daniel Defoe. In this novel we meet Robinson Crusoe who is stranded on a uninhabited island. In the topical excerpt called "the print of a foot" Crusoe sees a footprint, and he starts wondering if the island really is uninhabited.

Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe - King of Nothing 2004_010

Though Robinson Crusoe is stranded on a island in the middle of nowhere without any facilities, he is not a desperate man in any way. He sees himself as a king or an emperor, an feels kind of free, despite the limited geographical space. Crusoe also says "I had neither the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, or the pride of life. I had nothing to covet, for I had all that I was now capable of enjoying". The fact that the environment around Crusoe has been changed completely, has also changed his way of thinking. Women has been less importaint, which is naturale since there are no women around. But we can also see how the lack of material things, forces Crusoe to focus on other tings and get other values. He starts thinking and reflecting about life and his own surroundings. Crusoe becomes pleased with the fact that he has everything he needs on the island, and he uses only what is needed; nothing more. The religious aspect of Robinson Crusoe should be mentioned. Crusoe thinks a lot about God and the Devil. He looks upon every positive ting, such as the rich nature, as gifts from God. Crusoe is very thankfull to this, and he is happy that he is able to consider what he enjoed, rather then what he wanted. But also the Devil was something he beleaved existed. This shows when Crusoe one day sees the footprint in the sand, and first thinks that it must be the Devil. After some time though, he concludes that this can not be right. It must have someother explanation...

Of course Robinson Crusoe can be seen as "an ideal of individual enterprise empire-building". Crusoe fights the nature and manage to live well on a island all by himselfe. He also take care of the environment in a good way. But in all this, I also think there is a fundamental thought of power, which we can be critical to. Crusoe thinks it is nice to be "king" on the island. Is it really right of a man to take command of a aeria, which does not belong to him. And why is it that just this thought of power is so importaint to us?

Was Robinsion Crusoe one of the early (involuntary) colonists. At least we find some of the same thoughts represented in Robinson Crusoe, as we find among the colonists. Thoughts which have made the world devided into two parts. One part of power; and one of powerty...

by Steady Teddy Mon Mar 28 2011, 09:04

It's exactly what I was looking for, thanks Admin !!

Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe - King of Nothing

Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe - King of Nothing

Re: Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe - King of Nothing