(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

Robinson Crusoe as the Prototype British Colonist


His father offered his very strong opposition to this desire, and expressed his belief that Robinson should appreciate the comfort of being a member of the middling state in British society, which would offer him a comfortable and relatively prosperous life, without the pressure which comes with being part of both the very poor and the very powerful3. Robinson Crusoe decided to go against all advice given to him by family and friends who thought Robinson should become a lawyer, and stay in England. His father had told him that those who decide to travel abroad in search of discovery were of two kinds, those "Men of desperate Fortunes on one Hand, or of aspiring superior Fortunes on the other"4, and felt that Robinson was too good for the former, but insufficient for the latter. Robinson refused to accept his Father's judgement on his capabilities and his intended role in life, and made an independent decision to travel the world in search of better things. Robinson Crusoe, by his own admission, could have lived a comfortable life in England safe from the dangers which he was told to expect to encounter in his voyages, but his manly independence had taken over. In this respect, James Joyce's description of Robinson Crusoe as "the true prototype of the British colonist"5 would appear to be an accurate one, as those British colonists who travelled abroad in search of a better life also exerted this independence.
             The ideas of the Enlightenment philosopher Immanuel Kant can be seen to influence the novel and the character of Robinson Crusoe. In Immanuel Kant's essay, What Is Enlightenment, Kant describes a scenario in which "guardians"6, those who are in a position of power over others, attempt to prevent those in their power from maturing, and exercising their power of reason.


Essays Related to Robinson Crusoe as the Prototype British Colonist


Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question