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Robinson Crusoe: Thoughts

The isolation and containment experienced in Robinson Crusoe is terrifyingly delightful for a reader. At one hand, the novel itself is an interesting take on colonialism: the protagonist literally colonizes the island in order to survive. On the other hand, I think it's a novel about identity and self discovery in a moment of pure crisis. Several themes emerge through the text: isolation, colonization, survivalism,  religious exploration (or rediscovery is perhaps a better term), etc.

The story itself has remained a literary classic. It has been told countless times and in many different forms. Hollywood has always had a fascination with the story: several film productions have been made; more recently, Cast Away (starring Tom Hanks) has taken up the story and reintroduced it into the public consciousness.

This leads me to a question: what is it about Robinson Crusoe that remains so fresh and desirable to the public?

I think one of the many appeals of the novel is that it is fundamentally about overcoming internal conflict. There's this aspect of the story that is entirely psychological: the situation, itself, is far removed from the norms of possibility; and yet, it is entirely a realistic possibility. Robinson Crusoe (the character) is very much a heroic account of masculinity. He is conqueror, emperor, and master (in terms of his position towards Friday). Yet Crusoe is also the embodied representation of the ideal Christian: he overcomes his hardships and manages to create and forges a real home on the island. After his religious conversion, the way he sees the world is changed. Quite literally, Crusoe becomes Adam. With the introduction of Friday, we see naming and western education. The two, together, I think, incorporate the idea of Adam and Eve, and further develop the religious notion already underway in earlier text.

His relationship to the Friday also suggests some elements of homoeroticism (though the concept isn't really explored in depth; the question concerning love is something I'd like to think more about). Loneliness and dread of separation become apparent. The friendship that emerges between the two fundamentally creates the social element of the novel. When Friday's father returns, things are set in motion which lead to Crusoe's escape off of the island and return to English society.

The return itself isn't all that satisfying, and I don't think it's all that satisfying for Crusoe, either. Back amongst the English, he exhibits signs of boredom and depression.  This leads him to further travel, suggesting that Crusoe can never really be reintegrated into society.

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