cultures and peoples, Daniel DefoeÆs Robinson Crusoe exemplifies this mentality that served as the foundation for colonialism. Marzec (p. 131) argues that in the same manner Crusoe will tame and enslave Friday, so he is able to tame even the ôforeignö lands of the island, ôCrusoe tames the undifferentiated earth of the island by endowing the land with the positive and moral seed of Providence. In order to cope with an entirely Other form of land than that to which he is accustomed, he introduced an ideological apparatus to over-code the earth.ö
Crusoe rescues Friday from being eaten by the other cannibals on the island, but his closeness with Friday develops because Friday, among all the indigenous people encountered by Crusoe, is willing to adopt the values, customs and traditions of Europeans. By saving Friday, we see that Crusoe is positioned as the ôsaviorö of a ôsavage,ö in addition to CrusoeÆs belief that because his culture is civilized and powerful he has a similar right and position on the island. In the beginning of the novel, Crusoe admits that he did not enjoy high status in his native culture, ômine was the middle State, or what might be called the upper Station of Low Life,ö (Defoe, p. 5). Despite this admission, on the island of another culture and in relation to Friday, Crusoe demonstrates a tendency to rule that is characteristic of European colonialism and ethnocentrism. He imagines himself to be the ôEmperorö of his entire domain in the island.
Friday is acceptable to Crusoe because he exhibits a number of qualities that mirror those that are respect and valued most by civilized European society. He is faithful and loving, sincere and is willing to sacrifice his own life for CrusoeÆs safety. However, Crusoe continues to teach Friday the manners and mores of English society, especially the religion and ideals of Anglicans. He eventually is able to make Friday losd his taste for human fle...