Robinson Crusoe: survival and isolation in early modern fiction

Robinson Crusoe and Individualism

The adage "no man is an island" always holds true because humankind has always been a social being. By belonging to a group or society, individuals are expected to abide by the collective norms and behaviors thereto. Although individuals are assumed to follow the standards of the group, there are those who chose otherwise and demonstrate individualism, believing in the core importance of the individual and having self-reliant and independent behavior. To some groups or societies, individualism is shunned and members who show this trait are considered pariahs. Others though value individualism because it promotes innovation and creativity. Several great works of arts, scientific inventions, marvels of technology and engineering, and breakthroughs in other endeavors were the result of individualism; thus, heralded by collective society that benefitted from these. Daniel Defoe's The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, published in 1719, would not have been one of the great literary classics had he chosen to maintain the middle-class / workman's life like his father. Instead, he engaged in various occupations and travelled extensively; the experience provided a wealth of knowledge that provided the wonderful stories when he began writing his books during the twilight of his years. Hence, if Defoe had he not shown his individualistic nature, there would not be the Robinson Crusoe, Captain Jack, Moll Flanders and other literary classics being read through generations.

Literary works by authors are often said to mirror life and particular the lives of those who wrote them. Defoe's Robinson Crusoe may be deemed as Defoe's life story itself since there are several parallels. The most important aspect though was how Defoe's innate individualism has been well projected in his book. As a young man, Robinson Crusoe's father wanted him to study law because it is a profession that could provide for a stable and secure life. However, Crusoe wanted to live his life traveling the seas and seeking numerous adventures. Against his father's wishes, he embarked on his passion and this is the first display of the protagonist's individualism. He did not want to be like the rest of the youth during his time whereby they seek to engage in "stable and secure professions" rather, his choice was to be different by way of engaging in an experience outside the confines of England.

As Crusoe embarked on his adventure at sea, his initial foray proved successful and he earned a hefty profit from being a sea merchant. With the good fortunes he had on his first sea endeavor, he was ready to try another venture. However on his next journey, Lady Luck was not on his side since the ship he was sailing was captured by pirates and he was enslaved but thereafter saved by a kindly Portuguese captain who took him in. He was able to arrive in Brazil where he set himself up as a plantation owner. Crusoe found out that slave-labor trading would be a profitable venture, and he thence ventured into the field. On his slave-gathering trip to Africa though, he found himself the sole survivor of a shipwreck in a remote island off the coast of Trinidad. In his aloneness, he had to demonstrate his independence and initiative by being able to live off the land and survive. During this time, it was apparent that Crusoe was projected the highest form of individualism, albeit forced upon him, because there were no other people to rely on but himself. Consequently, he was able to build a shelter, graze goats for meat, erect a cross where he inscribed a notch for each day he was on the island, attempted making candles and even planting grains. All these activities he kept in a journal as a record of his existence and what he did.

But Crusoe's solitary life was not solitary after all since he learnt there were cannibals in the islands and in one encounter, he was able to save a man's life from being victimized the cannibal's. In saving the man, Crusoe demonstrated another aspect of individualism, that of an altruistic one. He could have simply walked away and continued living his solitary life but the human side of him saw the cannibals' actions as wrong; thus, he protected the person who ran towards him by defeating the cannibal pursuers. With the victim vowing allegiance and loyalty to him, Crusoe decided to let the person stay and he named him Friday, in remembrance of the day he saved the life of the person.

The relationship between Crusoe and Friday was not an equal one since Friday ended up being Crusoe's servant although a well treated one. Crusoe endeavored to teach him English and religion, and Friday turned out to be an astute student. Life for Crusoe and Friday was not to remain secluded because eventually, there have been other people that would crossed their lives in the island. Throughout all these, Crusoe remained steadfast in his individualism because he always showed conviction and dedication to his various decisions especially when faced with overwhelming challenges and obstacles. For instance, when an English ship appeared in the island, Crusoe was faced with mutineers. Again, he could have chosen to be a selfish individualist by simply "walking away" since this was not his problem but that of the ship's captain and his remaining loyal crews. Given the fact that Crusoe's individualism is of the positive one, he could not "let a fault pass" and not do what was right. Eventually, he helped the ship captain and remaining loyal crews retake the ship, and were successful.

Instead of demonstrating a vengeful nature, the mutineers who have been sentenced to be left in the island for their mutinous acts were taught by Crusoe how he was able to live and survive in the island. He basically "showed them the rope" until he was sure that they could fend for themselves. Thus, another positive trait of individualism was shown by Crusoe and this was compassion especially towards those that he vanquished. He could have followed the conventions of society or the law by punishing the mutineers severely but he chose a more humane treatment. Having done good o those being left in the island, Crusoe finally journeys back home to England.