final 鲁滨逊漂流记.doc

Analysis of Robinsons Character (Final Paper) 11301116 吴娜 Robinson Crusoe, whose full name is life and strange and surprising adventures of Robinson Crusoe, is written by Daniel Defoe. Jean-Jacques Rousseau in Emile recommended it as the first book that should be studied by a growing boy. In this paper, I want to write from two parts. The first part is the brief introduction of the author Daniel Defoe and Alexander Selkirk, and the second part is the analysis of Robinsons character.1. Brief Introduction to Daniel Defoe and Alexander Selkirk.Defoe had abundant experiences in his wonderful life. He was born in a businessmans home. At his twenties, he had become a successful businessman. He engaged in many field such as trading, brick. He also experienced bankrupt. When he did business, he also took part in the political activities. He pressed the political pamphlets as the deputy of bourgeoisie. He was poisoned, and got out by others help. After that, he also joined in the political activities. When he was in his old age, he started to write his novel. Before that Defoe never wanted to be a writer.Alexander, the original figure of Robinson, was a Scotland sailor. After a quarrel with his captain, he was thrown onto a desolate island off the coast of Chile by captain. After four years, he was taken to England, but he became a savage. Of course, the man didnt do any wonderful thing on the island, but his experience became the source of Defoes writing.2. The Character of RobinsonModern novelist James Joyce noted that “Robinson is the true prototype of the British colonist, independent, unconscious cruelty, persistent.” However, just as the old saying goes, “Men are not saints”. Robinson Crusoe also has his shortcomings in his character. Most previous researchers concerned more about Robinsons sprint while ignoring his flaws. In the following part, I will focus on the both sides of Robinsons character.2.1 Robinson is a man of individualism but pays little attention to his family. The ideals of enlightenment endowed Robinson some progressive characters. He pursued a free life and valued individual. While in the middle age, human took the God as the core. Robinson was not willing to stick to the old doctrines and lived a life of leisure and ease. “My head began to be filled very early with rambling thoughts: my father, who was very ancient, had given me competent share of learningand designed for the law, but I would be satisfied with nothing but go to sea” (Daniel, Robinson Crusoe, P1) His restless nature made him always fight for a better life and the things he wanted to possess: he went out to sea three times to do business, even after he had established his plantation in Brazil.However, we can see that, in order to realize his dream, Robinson left his family, not considering much about the feelings of the family. As he told us, “I would be satisfied with nothing but go to sea, and my inclination to this led me strongly against the will, nay the commands of my father, and against all the entreaties and persuasion of my mother and other friends.” (Daniel, Robinson Crusoe, P1) In the end he went out to sea without saying goodbye to his family. This, to me, is irresponsible, especially in modern society.2.2 Robinson is a fortitude but vain man.Robinson was born as a son of an old English gentleman, who designs his son for the law. But the young man has set his mind on becoming a sailor. At the age of 19, he runs away from, and begins his way to take adventures on a sea. In spite of many perils and adventures on the sea, he never changes his mind to seek after the sea. Robinson says that, My temperament is not drop a thing when I determined to do it, if not successful, (Daniel, Robinson Crusoe, P31) He makes a wood block that needs 42 days. He wasted much time and the practice force on many matters, when he does not succeed; he is always not discouraged and disappointed. He summarizes the experience of failure and does it again. He discovers rice; the wheat seed and sows them, but that is not right time and has no crop, he has plant again. Finally has the bread to provide food, to have the plantation, All these has taken very many efforts and overcame many difficulties, He changes his own situation by fortitude.On the other hand, Robinson Crusoe also had a sense of vanity and weakness. After the first sea voyage failed, he had the thought of going home, shame opposed the action, “it occurred to me how I should be laughed at among the neighbors, and should be ashamed to see, not my father and mother only, but even everybody else.” (Daniel, Robinson Crusoe, P11) On this point, I dont agree with Robinson, for his so strong a sense of vanity. What is more, sometimes he was dull and lacking prediction of the results. Once he had an ideal plan to make himself a canoe, one big enough to have carried him and all his cargo. He thought it possible and easy, but it interested in possessions, power and prestige. After the island was peopled, it turned out to be a mad plan and unlikely to be performed: he simply couldnt think he was “very rich in subjects”, and he thought it was a “merry reflection” that “how like a king I looked. He thought the whole country was my own.3. ConclusionInDaniel Defoes masterpiece, Robinson Crusoe, Robinson begins as a wanderer, aimless on a sea, and ends as a pilgrim, crossing a final mountain to enter the promising land. Robinson is a hero rather than an everyman. He is ambi