An Ecological Reading Of Robinson Crusoe

As ecological crisis is deteriorating globally, the study on ecology draws more and more attention from people throughout the world. More and more literary critics are beginning to explore the old literary works for the deeper reasons related to the problem of ecological crisis. Analyzing Robinson Crusoe from the perspective of Eco-criticism, we can easily find the primary reasons behind the appearance of ecological crisis and its deterioration. Crisis in natural, social and spiritual ecology caused by Crusoe’s series of actions are analyzed in this thesis.Firstly, the backgrounds of the masterpiece and the protagonist of the works are introduced. The anthropocentrism, the source for ecological crisis, is introduced at length. Anthropocentrism is reflected not only in Crusoe’s control over humans, but also in his brutal destruction of the plants and animals in the wild and his conquer of land. This means that the higher degree of human’s civilization is, the more destruction it brings to. Humans, depending on up-to-date technology and tools, destroy nature to satisfy their own pursuit of wealth.Secondly, social ecology embodies the relationship between man and man,this thesis expounds social ecology crisis from two aspects. One is Crusoe’s taming of Friday. The other is his discrimination against woman. Crusoe teaches Friday language and changes his lifestyle, while women only function as machines to amuse men and bear children.Thirdly, disharmonious relationship between man and himself in spiritual ecology is analyzed in this thesis. Crusoe is regarded as a representative of the newly rising bourgeoisie and a spokesman of Western colonialism. He has imperialistic personality such as selling Negroes, setting up plantation, changing the isolated island into a kingdom and so on. He has strong faith in religion which keeps him alive and plundering.Finally, it is concluded in the thesis that ecological crisis is mostly caused by humans themselves. To solve this problem, humans must cast away the anthropocentric ideology which has had its influence over thousands of years. Besides, humans must realize that they are only part of nature, nature should be respected and protected. Human should set up a balanced relationship with nature. Only by changing and reforming their deep-rooted non-ecological or even anti-ecological ideology and culture and to build a harmonious relationship with nature can humans walk out of ecological crisis fundamentally.