The Research On Robinson Crusoe From The Perspective Of The Post-colonial Theory

There is a unique litery writing in the history of British Literature—desolate island literature. In those literary works, the main character is set on an isolated, desolate island, and the island is not only the core of the story, but the outerspace as well. Desolate island literature, with its unique charm, plays a very important role in the history of Western Literature. From the point of view of realism and romaticism, island literature sings praises of human heroism and courage in combating with the nature. As a result, island literature is loved for centuries by readers both old and young.In the later half of the 20th century, literary critics began to give their attention to the colonial ideology publicized in island literature. During this period, one that was comparatively influential and widely adopted by critics was the theory of postcolonial criticism, which provided a special perspective to the study of literary writings, especially island literature.In this thesis, one representative writings of British desolate island literature, Robinson Crusoe, is studied with the perspective of post-colonial criticism. Robinson Crusoe was written by Daniel Defoe in the year 1719. Daniel Defoe lived in the period of fast development of capitalism in England, therefore his works, to some extent reflected the spirit features of the then rising bourgeoisie, ever since its publication it became one of most popular novels in the world literature. For years people, especially, literary critics, have paid extensive attention to heroism shown in the main character of the book. But if we read it with the perspective of post-colonial theory, we find that Robinson Crusoe also displays a trend of colonial ideology.My thesis, borrowing the theory of post-colonial criticism, tries to analyze the novel from five chapters:Introduction part is a general introduction about desolate island literature, post-colonial theory and the latest studies carried out home and abroad on the novel Robinson Crusoe. Then follow the research methods and literary innovation applied in the thesis.In PartⅠ, the thesis introduces the background of the writing. The thesis provides the social changes in Britain and British colonial expansion in early times, which is to help the readers have a better understanding of the society in the times when Daniel Defoe lived.In PartⅡ, the thesis analyses the colonial activities of Robinson Crusoe by telling the readers Robinson Crusoe's colonial prerequisite, motivation and his protestant ideology.In PartⅢ, the thesis explores Robinson Crusoe's image of a colonist. Robinson Crusoe has all the characteristics of a colonist. He is a true colonist.In PartⅣ, the thesis states that Robinson Crusoe changed the Aborigine-"Friday" and the embarrassment after his change.In PartⅥ, the thesis shows that Daniel Defoe demonizes the aborigines living in Africa and America. This is a kind of colonial strategy.In Conclusion, the thesis discourses that after a close study of these literary works, we hope that we can have better understanding of the history and the real nature of colonialism, and also we hope this close-reading of the English classics may be of some help in realizing and protecting the characteristics of our own culture and our national identity.