Robinson Crusoe Essay

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….....