Robinson Crusoe in Review

Robinson Crusoe is a very introspective character with a great deal of ambiguity when it comes to his relationship with God and religion. His religious floundering from one spectrum to the other, often leaves the reader confused as to his true belief in the Lord. This wavering surely flows with the cycles in his life that are unstable and uncertain. It is incredibly interesting when, in Crusoe's journal dated June 27^th, in delirium cries out: "Lord look upon me! Lord pity me! Lord have mercy upon me!" (Robinson Crusoe), and this illness allows him to re-evaluate his life and his relationship to God.

Crusoe in his wavering is fairly understanding of the beliefs of others. When he meets Friday later in the novel (ch. 19, Crusoe), he takes great pride in being able to communicate and share his own personal beliefs in God with his befriended slave, Friday. He does not really initiate much conversation with Friday when it comes to beliefs that Friday had before their meeting -- since Crusoe is pretty intolerant of the cannibalism and their rites. Crusoe doesn't appear overbearing, specifically to Friday -- however he also does not allow him the tolerance that he had bestowed upon others.

Crusoe participates in many activities as a Christian that today we furrow our brows at, questioning the intent of these actions. Much like slavery during the Civil War period -- it seems a natural way of life for the Britain, people, regardless of their stations in life, or their religious affiliation. It was common and not scoffed upon by others. Friday pretty much allows Crusoe to be his "master" since Crusoe did in fact save his life. Their relationship really appears more agreed upon, based on their stations and their circumstances -- a win-win for everyone.

When Crusoe sells his friend/slave Xury, he does so with much questioning, weighing the pros and cons of the situation -- and I believe respectably asks Xury about his take in the situation. If Xury didn't want to be sold, my views might be someone intolerant of the action -- however, Xury agreed with Crusoe to go ahead and allow his sale. The benefits were positive for all parties involved. While slavery today is not acceptable -- in those times it was socially acceptable and a normal practice. It is difficult to find fault in this practice when Crusoe was very kind to those that worked along-side him, even if they were technically slaves.

When it comes to the question of selling slaves, killing animals, and forcing Friday to call Crusoe "master," I don't believe Crusoe really looked to God for guidance. He seems to me to be a believer in the circumstances that God has put in his path, no matter what station in life he is in, and runs with it. He doesn't seem to question God on these issues, just praises him when the outcome is delightful.

References

Defoe, Daniel. (2009). Robinson Crusoe. Oxford University Press. USA.