1

The theme of Colonization in Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe

-Anjan BeheraTetso College, Dimapur

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

2

What is colonization?Colonization is an ongoing process of

control by which a central system of power (e.g., England) dominates the other lands (e.g., India) and its components (people, culture, fashion, etc.).

The establishment, maintenance, acquisition and expansion of colonies in one territory by people from another territory.

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

3

Elements of ColonizationColonizer

◦Absolute control over the land acquired. Faces displacement.

Colonized◦Submits to the colonizer after initial

protest. Let’s go of own indigenous practices.

Creation of a subaltern◦The colonized thereby accepts the

colonizer’s authority.

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

4

Formation of a cultural hierarchy/hegemony◦The colonizer teaches the

colonized that his culture is more superior. Utter disregard for the culture of the subaltern.

The native land is changed as per the colonizer’s wishes.◦Plantations, dams,

displacement.

Elements of Colonization

The English encounter the natives of America

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

5

The colonizer may introduce plantations/industries but the colonized is generally just an employee.

The colonizer enforces the following on the colonized-◦Religion (Christianity on the

Nagas)◦Western clothes (shirts,

pants)◦Food habits (cake, bread)

Elements of Colonization

Gloria Tep, a Naga model, in a gown for Vogue India

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

6

Is Crusoe a colonizer? YES!

Crusoe lands on an island. Names it the ‘Island of Despair’ – same way the Britishers named our state ‘Nagaland’ and our country ‘India’.

Comes by sea – the way most colonizers travelled to other lands.

Starts cultivating – uses the natural resources of the island for his own advantage. (colonizes the island- builds his fortress and the summer palace)

Crusoe walks along the beach- Children’s Classic 1974

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

7

Enter the Subaltern - Friday

After Crusoe had saved Friday, he “laid his head upon the ground, and taking me by the foot, set my foot upon his head”

Crusoe names him ‘Friday’ without even asking what his name is.

Friday is a described as a “savage”.◦In colonial ideology, the colonized is always

‘uncivilized’ with regards to the culture of the colonizer, and needs to be taught the ‘right culture’.

Crusoe looks at the ways of the locals distastefully (creation of cultural hegemony).

Crusoe teaches Friday English manners.

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

8

Crusoe teaches Friday about Christianity with the intention of proving his religion superior to the savages’ religion.

Crusoe instructs Friday not to question the English religion but to simply follow it fervently.

Delta Classic’s illustration of Crusoe marking notches on

the cross in the ‘Island of Despair’

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

9

Crusoe teaches Friday English, but makes no attempt to understand the language of the natives (English is superior).

Crusoe teaches Friday how to eat “goat meat”.

Crusoe teaches Friday to dress like him.Crusoe basically strips Friday of his

identity as he makes him mimic the European culture.

“…my man Friday accompanying me very honestly in all these ramblings, and proving a most faithful servant upon all occasions.” - Friday still remained a servant, never an equal.

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

10

Crusoe attempts to create an ‘England’ in the ‘Island of Despair’.

Thus the novel is full of colonial motifs.◦Island of Despair-

Colonized colony◦Friday-

subaltern/colonized◦Crusoe- Colonizer

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

11

The theme of home-economics in Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe

-Anjan BeheraTetso College, Dimapur

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

12

Defining economicsab

eher

a@te

tsoc

olle

ge.o

rgak

behe

ra@

msn

.com

13

Elements of Economics in RCCrusoe is tempted to sail

partly to appease his spirit of adventure and partly to earn money (strengthen his economic standing).

Crusoe in due course becomes wealthier than his father (Brazilian Plantation).

It becomes more of a capitalist venture for him- constant need for improvement.

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

14

Crusoe treats all relationships in terms of their commercial value:◦Xury – sold to earn money◦Portuguese Captain-

because he helps Crusoe achieve economic success (rescue + gifts)

◦Friday- a slave (Crusoe taught him basic language to be able to command. At no point does Crusoe take suggestions from Friday)

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

15

Increases production of food on the island as need be (esp after Friday’s father and the Spaniard decide to go to the mainland).

Removes obstacles to production of food (birds).

Invests time, labour, and resources on securing a steady production of food-◦Crops like grain, grapes◦Goats

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

16

Capitalism in RCCapitalism is an economic system

based on private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit.

Characteristics central to capitalism include private property, capital accumulation, wage labor, voluntary exchange, a price system, and competitive markets.(Requires a step by step checking for RC)

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

17

Private PropertyThe ‘Island of Despair’

is Robinson Crusoe’s island for as long as he wants to stay there.

He does not pay taxes to anyone.

He controls production and decides what to do with the output without any interference from other bodies. Crusoe salvages what he

deems important. He is in absolute control.

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

18

Capital accumulationCapital accumulation is the dynamic

that motivates the pursuit of profit, involving the investment of money or any financial asset with the goal of increasing the initial monetary value of said asset as a financial return whether in the form of profit, rent, interest, royalties or capital gains.

Robinson Crusoe is always looking out for ways to improve his economic standing (selling Xury, plantation in Brazil, trip to buy slaves, etc)

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

19

Wage labourWage labour is the

socioeconomic relationship between a worker and an employer, where the worker sells their labour under a formal or informal employment contract.

Friday works for Crusoe. ◦Payment- food and lessons in

English culture.Is Friday being exploited?

Probably!

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

20

Voluntary exchangeVoluntary exchange is the act of

buyers and sellers freely and willingly engaging in market transactions. Moreover, transactions are made in such a way that both the buyer and the seller are better off after the exchange than before it occurred.

Crusoe sells Xury, thus improving his position.

Crusoe sets sail to buy slaves.Crusoe sells off his plantation.

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

21

A price system, and competitive market is absent in Robinson Crusoe since the island is remote and as such, devoid of a market with competitors.

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

22

Capitalism in the novelRobinson Crusoe – Capitalist –

Bourgeois

Friday – Worker – Proletariat

Island of Despair – Provides the capital (investment) in terms of natural resources.

Food, shelter, and clothing – Output

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

23

Robinson Crusoe as a Religious Allegory

-Anjan BeheraTetso College, Dimapur

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

24

Defining ‘allegory’

Allegory is a form of extended metaphor, in which objects, persons, and actions in a narrative, are equated with the meanings that lie outside the narrative itself.

Elements of a novel symbolise greater meanings.

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

25

For example, lets take a look at The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

Novel first published in 1950.

Set in the fictional world of Narnia.

Adapted into a film in 2005.

It can be studied as a religious allegory. How? Lets find out!

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

26

Filled with Christian Themes

These four kids are referred to as ‘The Sons and Daughters of Adam and Eve’ by the characters in the novel. Direct reference to the Bible – these children represent humanity.

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

27

Jadis tempts Edmund into bringing all of his siblings to her palace of snow and thereby endangering their lives.Jadis represents the Devil or Lucifer who tempts mankind to sin and spend eternity in Hell.

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

28

Edmund does as told and is then captured by Jadis and imprisoned.

Humanity is tempted by the Devil and is lost in sin.

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

29

The Pevensies ask Aslan to help them rescue their brother Edmund from Jadis.Aslan represents Jesus who must rescue humanity from the Devil’s clutches.

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

30

Aslan’s forces rescue Edmund from Jadis and he is forgiven for his sin of betrayal

Jesus rescues humanity from the Devil and forgives humanity.

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

31

Jadis comes to demand for Edmund, says that traitors belong to her. It’s trickery to get what she wants.

The Devil is full of trickery and knows how to deceive.

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

32

Aslan submits himself to Jadis who kills him after cutting off his mane. This is in exchange of Edmund’s life.

Jesus allows himself to be arrested, and crucified, after the Roman soldiers have stripped him of his robes. This is Him dying in our place.

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

33

Susan and Lucy mourn Aslan’s death till sunrise.

Mary Magdalene, Mary, and the disciples mourned Christ’s death till Sunday morning

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

34

In the morning, there is an earthquake, the Stone Table cracks and Aslan is ressurected.

In the morning hours, there is a huge earthquake, an Angel of the Lord rolls over the Stone blocking Christ’s grave to show it is empty.

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

35

Aslan explains that when an innocent soul is murdered on the Stone Table, death itself has to reverse.

Jesus comes back from the dead because even Death cannot take away someone as innocent as Christ.

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

36

Thus the Chronicle of Narnia is a religious allegory because it has so many symbolic elements which run parallel with Biblical values and themes.

But The Chronicles of Narnia is NOT in our syllabus, so lets go back to Robinson Crusoe, and analyse that as a religious allegory in the same way!

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

37

First and foremost, numerous references to the Bible and Christianity.

In the Bible, Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden for disobedience (original sin).◦They were to remain in the normal lands and

work towards earning God’s forgiveness.Similarly, Crusoe believes he is

abandoned on the island for being materialistic and disobeying his father (original sin).

He improves himself spiritually on the island and hopes to get back to England someday, just like humanity hopes to get back to God.

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

38

Similarities to the story of Jonah

Jonah was a prophet who was asked to go to Nineveh to warn them of their wicked ways. (Jonah 1:2)

He instead goes to Tarshish which is in the opposite direction (Jonah 1:3)

A great storm comes (Jonah 1:4), and Jonah is thrown overboard (Jonah 15)

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

39

Jonah is then swallowed by a fish where he repents and prays for three days and three nights (a long time to be inside a fish).

“I am cast out of thy sight yet I will look again toward they Holy Temple” (Jonah 2:4) [I will remain a Good Christian and not give up hope]

“But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that which I have vowed.” (Jonah 2:9) [I will follow the rules set by God and do my duty]

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

40

“And the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.” (Jonah 2:10)

Jonah was released from the abyss after he confirmed that he would be a good Christian.

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

41

Lost in his pride of materialistic gains, Crusoe journeys for gathering slaves.

Instead of going towards religion, he goes the OPPOSITE WAY- materialism!

A great storm comes and he reaches the Island of Despair (land where no man lives).

Once on the island, he realises his ‘sins’ and repents.

"Jesus, Thou Son of David, Jesus, Thou exalted Prince and Saviour, give me repentance!“

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

42

Reads the Bible, prays, maintains a moral and Christian life.

Crusoe “saves” Friday’s soul by teaching him about Christianity. (He helps spread the Word of God, as all Christians should)

“I sincerely gave thanks to God for opening my eyes, by whatever afflicting Providences, to see the former condition of my life, and to mourn for my wickedness, and repent“

Once he has proven his moral qualities as a reformed Christian, an English ship rescues him and carries him back to England.

Jonah and Robinson Crusoe1) Sin2) Storm and marooned3) Repent and become a good Christian4) Get rescued

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

43

In the novel, prayer seems to resolve certain problems (Crusoe’s sickness, the storms)

Prayers get answered several times in the Bible◦Moses splitting the Red

Sea (Exodus 14:21)◦Abraham prays for a

child (Genesis 20:17)◦Hannah praying for a

child (1 Samuel 1:10)◦Elizah praying for the

dead son of a widow (1 Kings 17: 21-22)

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

44

After his rescue, Crusoe wants to stay in England so that he can remain a Presbyterian (Protestant). Going to Brazil would mean having to convert himself to a Catholic.

Similarities to Daniel from the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament.

Daniel was initially captured by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.

He later served King Darius.

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

45

Daniel is thrown in a den of lions for refusing to worship King Darius (Daniel 6:16)

He is saved by angels (Daniel 6: 22)

Thus Daniel emerges as the perfect Christian for not abandoning his faith and God.

Crusoe also emerges as the perfect Christian for not abandoning his faith and God.

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om

46

Since the characters, situations, and themes of the novel correspond with the teachings of Christianity, Robinson Crusoe is a religious allegory.

abeh

era@

tets

ocol

lege

.org

akbe

hera

@m

sn.c

om