Abstract
This paper attempts to study the novel of Robinson Crusoe from the perspective of Eurocentric discourse of travel. The paper sheds light on Western hegemony of travel from the metropolis to the peripheries for the sake of discovering and colonizing the “Other” parts of the world in one hand; on the other hand, these journeys enable the protagonist to grow physically, psychologically, spiritually and mentally. The paper also traces the physical journey that coincides with the inner journey which results in the self-discovery of the protagonist of himself as sequences of gradual growth from childhood to maturity; this trait makes the novel as bildungsroman. The protagonist commits a sin of disobedience at the beginning of his life and he has to endure all difficulties of life because of that deadly sin and with the passage of time he discovers his mistakes and repents from his wickedness and comes back to God who redeems him from his original sin. Therefore, he discovers himself after reaching the stage of wisdom, maturity and repentance. He has also been redeemed and awarded the fruitfulness of his endurance by reaching his father’s house again and reunited with his family.
Highlights
Stories of travel have been popular since immemorial times
The paper traces the physical journey that coincides with the inner journey which results in the self-discovery of the protagonist of himself as sequences of gradual growth from childhood to maturity; this trait makes the novel as bildungsroman
This paper aims to analyze Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe from the perspective of Eurocentric discourse of travel and at the same time it examines how physical journey coincides with the inner journey to shape the identity of the protagonist in the process of his self-discovery
Summary
Homer’s Odyssey is the earliest tales of these travel books which is followed by Lucian’s True History Plato in his great book Republic tackles the ideal society in which he calls it Utopia. As a matter of fact, literature attempts to explore man’s sprite of curiosity which leads him to travel throughout the world to find this ideal society In this regard, Charles Larson points out that, “Literature is a bridge connecting a life lived with a life not lived, so, too, all literature that is effective is a voyage into a previously untraveled world.” [65]. Travel literature starts with religious journeys to sacred spot that includes pilgrimages Such journey is clearly seen in Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales in which the poet shows the voyages of pilgrims to Canterbury. Europeans impose their ideology of power to control the others by using the language to control minds; and in this regard, Abdu and Khafaga point out that, “Language is seen as a means of controlling minds and shaping attitudes” [421]
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