Unharmonious Relationship

Robinson Crusoe marked the beginning of realistic fiction as a literary genre. The classic novel has been studied for ages through different literary approaches of analysis, like post-colonial criticism, myth and archetypal criticism, etc. This thesis applies eco-critical approaches to the analysis of Robinson Crusoe and argues that the anti-ecological ideas and practices Defoe demonstrates in Robinson Crusoe lead to unharmonious relationship in natural, social and spiritual ecology.Eco-criticism demands recognition of intrinsic value in nature. The shift from a human-centered systems of values to a nature-centered one is the core of the radicalism attributed to deep ecology. Eco-criticism is concerned with encouraging an egalitarian attitude on the part of humans not only toward all members of the ecosphere, but even toward all identifiable entities or forms in the ecosphere. Thus, this attitude is intended to extend, for example, to such entities(or forms) as rivers, landscapes, and even species and social systems considered in their own right. And apply the eight principles to it, we will get the following contents.There is no doubt that much of the work is devoted to the relationship between Robinson Crusoe and the animals on the island. This relationship, however, is not like the one that is between us and the pets and it’s more like control, conquer, manipulation, and even merciless slaughter. Robinson’s domination and exploitation of the island also lead to a anti-ecological relationship between man and nature in natural ecology.In the second part of the thesis, the unharmonious ideas and practices in social ecology will be explored, including the hierarchical domination of natives from Robinson Crusoe, the absence of women in most part and the marginalization in women’s presence and the over-praised influence of the civilized society on the island.The following part touches upon the distorted mental development of Robinson Crusoe in spiritual ecology, exploring the motivation of Crusoe’s voyage and records Robinson’s persistent pursuit of wealth.In conclusion, Robinson Crusoe is full of anti-ecological ideas and practices, which in turn lead to the unharmonious relationship between man and nature, between man and man, between man and his inner heart.