English Superiority and Justic
Throughout Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe there is a recurring theme of superiority. During his stay on the island, Robinson Crusoe seems to be preoccupied with making the island his and changing it to his own wants and desires. He frequently calls it his island and refers to himself as "King" or "Governour". Crusoe's treatment of those around him, especially Xury and Friday, also show his feelings of superiority. Robinson Crusoe's sentiments are not just his own; they are reflections of those of English society. Robinson Crusoe was written during the time of European Imperialism. Defoe, as an Englishman, Used his novel to comment on how the other European nations, especially Spain, did not know how to deal with the "savages" they met in these new lands. He states that England's brand of justice is superior to that of Spain's. Crusoe criticizes the Spaniards' actions when dealing with the savages they ran into when conquering the Americas. He disagrees with the needless slaughter of the natives and the theft of their riches. ...the conduct of the Spaniards in all their barbarities practised in America, where they destroyed millions of these
Nowe the Kinges and Queenes of England have the name of Defendors of the Faithe: By which title I thinke they are not onely chardged to mayneteyne and patronize the faithe of Christe, but also to inlarge and advaunce. (Hakluyt 215) Robinson Crusoe felt that the ctions taken toward the savages were undeseved because the savages took no actions against the Spaniards. Crusoe and Defoe feel that the natives of the New World should be made "civilized". They should be educated in English morals and taught in the ways of Christianity. This not only reinforces the theme of European superiority over the "savages" of the New World, it introduces the theme of English superiority over Spain in dealing with new peoples. This idea is exactly what Richard Hakluyt stated in his writings over 400 years ago. Hakluyt's beliefs were that the natives of the New World had to be educated in the ways of civilized life. He believed that they were ignorant and not responsible for their pagan actions. Thus they had to be taught and not killed or enslaved. Hakluyt also believed that England should be the nation responsible for the savages' education. people, who, howeve
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 778
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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