British Imperialism in Robinson Crusoe and Oroonoko

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Recommended: Discuss the theme of colonialisation in the novel Robinson Crusoe

Robinson Crusoe is a fiction of 18th century, written by Daniel Defoe, in which the author represents the colonialist and imperialist mindset of an European man. Through a shallow reading, the novel might seem like an adventure novel, but with an in-depth research and reading, it is possible to find out that the novel is actually written from a colonialist and imperialist perspective of the 18th century Britain. On the other hand, 17th century novel Oroonoko, written by a female author Aphra Behn, is actually a piece of work which bears and represents imperialist and colonialist attitudes of European man more directly and openly to its readers. Both novels, bearing the similar features of European imperialism and slavery, will be compared and contrasted in detail by giving specific examples in the following essay.

It is necessary to define both colonialism and imperialism before starting the discussion since both two terms are the main concerns of these two novels. According to Saeed, colonialism is "... a practice of the powerful over the less powerful" (Saeed 2). Similar to colonialism, imperialism is a: "... state policy, practice, or advocacy of extending power and dominion, especially by direct territorial acquisition or by gaining political and economic control of other areas" ("imperialism"). As it is discussed in the class, Britain is known as "the mother country" and "the home of civilization," therefore, both novels represent British army and British people superior and other indigenous people and black people, called negroes, inferior. Both authors, Daniel Defoe and Aphra Behn, highly emphasize on British imperial power based on their being white, English and Christian. The difference betw...

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...ther nations. Comparing these two important novels that are written by two different authors, help the reader to see the two different sides and influences of imperialism and enslavement. As it is also discussed in the class, the reality of feeling oneself superior and the other as inferior, is a complete illusion which has been framed by the Europeans.

Work Cited

Behn, Aphra. Oroonoko and Other Stories. Hungary: Könemann, 1991. Print

Defoe, Daniel. Robinson Crusoe. 1st ed. Waiheke Island: Floating Press, 2008. Print.

"imperialism." Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Online Academic Edition. Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 2014. Web. 23 May 2014.

Saeed, Nourin Binte. "Colonial Representation in Robinson Crusoe, Heart Of Darkness and A passage to India". Dspace.bracu.ac.bd. N.p., 2014. Web. 23 May 2014

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