Slavery as a submerged theme in Robinson Crusoe: An Illustration of Crusoe's pragmatism - Essay Example

4 April, Slavery as a submerged theme in Robinson Crusoe: An Illustration of Crusoe's pragmatism. Slavery is one of the most important elements of the novel Robinson Crusoe. Many events that happen in the novel from time to time fundamentally revolve around slavery. Before Robinson Crusoe lands on the island, he is enslaved. Having become a slave, Robinson Crusoe realizes the miseries of slavery, and acknowledges slavery as the worst condition for any Christian to be in. In his servitude and slavery, Robinson Crusoe is all alone.

He plans to make an escape in order to break free of the chains of slavery. Later, Robinson Crusoe becomes an owner of slaves himself. He intends to keep Xury in slavery for ten years through bargain with the Captain, though he imposes a condition that if Xury embraces Christianity, he would be freed. In another event, Robinson Crusoe keeps a “Negro Slave” specifically to take care of his plantation. It is noteworthy, that the “European” that serves him is called as a servant in the novel and not as a slave.

Taking these and many similar events into consideration, it can be said that slavery is a submerged theme in the novel, and is an essential component of the story. The relationship between Robinson Crusoe and Friday: Robinson Crusoe maintains the relationship of a master with Friday. Friday approves of being a servant to him because he has been saved by Crusoe. It so happens that Crusoe lives alone on an island for a lot of years. One day, he finds prisoners being brought to the island by savages in canoes.

He does not like it at all and takes the decision to save them. Next time they appear, Crusoe makes the savages retreat using his gun, but saves one of them, whom he later names as Friday. Friday becomes very happy for being saved and decides to serve Crusoe as a servant. In the start, he has difficulty communicating with Crusoe because he does not know English. But he soon becomes able to communicate with Crusoe in English and also converts into a Christian. Friday becomes a happy servant and keeps serving Crusoe for many years.

Few years after that, another ship brings three more prisoners to the island, two of which are saved by Friday and Crusoe. One of the saved prisoners turns out to be Friday’s father who had long been separated from him. Both greet each other and celebrate the reunion. With the passage, they bring more Spaniard’s men to the island, and the deserted island starts to be occupied. Crusoe is very happy to see that happen. Robinson Crusoe is initially very uncomfortable with the savages until he happens to meet Friday.

The relationship between Crusoe and Friday is very intimate and the two share good times with each other. Robinson Crusoe provides Friday with clothes and arranges bed for him to sleep (Defoe 101). Robinson Crusoe not only keeps Friday very happy in his mastership, but also helps him find his father. Works Cited: Defoe, Daniel. Robinson Crusoe. Bloomington: Public-School Publishing School, 1902. Print.