Character Analysis Of Robinson Crusoe

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Robinson Crusoe Analysis Robinson Crusoe is a novel reflecting about man’s place in the natural world. That’s where it starts out anyway, with a man named Robinson Crusoe and his unhappiness with his current state of affairs. Crusoe is the embodiment of straight, white male privilege in the sense that he lives a rather congenial life. He has few wants and his needs are met. Crusoe, is simply unhappy because where he feels he wants to be in life he cannot obtain this because his family disagrees. Crusoe is no flashy hero nor is he some epic adventurer to make the ladies swoon, but a few simple characteristics about him have made him respected among readers. His perseverance especially in building a canoe that takes months, his resourcefulness …show more content…

There are times when it appears to almost be a father-son relationship based on their intimacy, but there is also a clear master-slave element to their relationship, which is reinforced by the text. “I made him know that his name was to be Friday...I likewise taught him to say Master.” (Defoe 147) Crusoe never informs Friday of his real name, which implies a certain hierarchy system. Crusoe is the “master” and he is of higher social status that Friday, “the servant.” In this period of time, slaves were named by their colonial masters, with complete disregard as to what their real names might be. Crusoe shows the same disregard, not even bother to ask Friday what his real name may …show more content…

Not so interestingly enough, he chooses a name from Western culture. People indigenous to the island do not plan their lives according to the same seven-day week schedule used in England. So, even the assigned name reflects Robinson’s eagerness to rub English habits and norms off on his servant. In a way, Robinson has created a new identity for Friday. After being labeled, Friday must live life answering to a name that has roots in English-speaking culture. It is also important to note that Friday is named for a thing rather than an actual person. This further contributes to his overall

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