Analyzing Robinson Crusoe Through a

Postcolonial Lens
I. Introduction
to Research Paper One of the most enduring novels in English literature, Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe has been a
subject of academic inquiry for centuries. However, in recent years, the novel has been reexamined through the lens of
postcolonial theory. This analytical approach seeks to understand how colonial power dynamics influence narratives,
characters, and themes in literature. In this research paper, I will explore how postcolonial theorists such as Edward Said and
Homi Bhabha can provide new insights into Robinson Crusoe. Said's work on Orientalism and culture and imperialism will
help illuminate the colonial context in which Defoe wrote the novel. Similarly, Bhabha's theories on hybridity and the third
space can shed light on how Crusoe's encounters with the Other challenge traditional colonial hierarchies. By applying these
critical frameworks to Robinson Crusoe, we can gain a deeper understanding of how the novel reflects and perpetuates
colonial power dynamics.

II. Overview of Robinson Crusoe

In Daniel Defoe's novel "Robinson Crusoe," the protagonist, Robinson Crusoe, is a young man who embarks on a journey
that leads him to a deserted island where he must learn to survive on his own. The novel explores themes of colonialism,
imperialism, and identity, as Crusoe grapples with his place in the world and his relationship with the native people he
encounters. Through Crusoe's experiences on the island, Defoe raises questions about power dynamics, cultural differences,
and the impact of colonization on both the colonizers and the colonized. This overview of "Robinson Crusoe" sets the stage
for an in-depth analysis of the novel from a postcolonial perspective, drawing on the works of Edward Said and Homi Bhabha
to explore the complexities of Crusoe's narrative in relation to larger historical and cultural contexts. (T. Stuessy, p. 155-184)

III. Postcolonial Lens: Edward Said's Orientalism

Edward Said's seminal work, 'Orientalism', provides a crucial framework for analyzing colonial discourse and power
dynamics embedded in literature, such as Daniel Defoe's 'Robinson Crusoe'. By applying a postcolonial lens, readers can
uncover how Crusoe's encounters with the 'other' construct Western superiority over the perceived 'uncivilized' natives. Said
argues that Orientalism is not just a scholarly discipline but a form of cultural imperialism that reinforces Western hegemony
and stereotypes about the East. Through this lens, Crusoe's domination over Friday and his control of the island can be seen
as a reflection of colonial attitudes towards the 'other'. Said's analysis urges readers to question the narratives of colonial texts
and to deconstruct the power structures inherent in them to unveil the hidden ideologies of imperialism and dominance. (Filiz
Çiçek, p. 123-144)

IV. Postcolonial Lens: Edward Said's Culture and Imperialism

Edward Said's seminal work 'Culture and Imperialism' is a foundational text in the field of postcolonial studies, offering a
critical examination of the ways in which literature and culture have been implicated in processes of imperialism and
colonization. Said argues that traditional Western narratives often justify and perpetuate imperialist projects by essentializing
and romanticizing the cultures and peoples of the colonized regions. Through his concept of Orientalism, Said demonstrates
how Western literature and scholarship have constructed a homogeneous and inferior image of the East, thus legitimizing the
subjugation and exploitation of these regions. By applying Said's postcolonial lens to Daniel Defoe's novel 'Robinson Crusoe,'
one can uncover the inherent imperialist ideologies and power dynamics present within the text, shedding light on the
complex relationship between literature, culture, and imperialism.. (L. Rasheed, Reem Adnan Hamad)

V. Postcolonial Lens: Homi Bhabha's Work

Homi Bhabha's work in postcolonial theory provides a unique perspective on the analysis of colonial discourse in literature,
particularly in the context of Robinson Crusoe. Bhabha's concept of 'colonial mimicry' suggests that colonized subjects
imitate the culture and behavior of their colonizers as a form of resistance and negotiation of power dynamics. In the case of
Crusoe, his adaptation to island life mirrors the process of mimicry as he tries to assert control over his environment.
However, Bhabha also introduces the idea of 'hybridity', which emphasizes the blending of colonizer and colonized cultures
to create something new and dynamic. Through this lens, the novel can be seen as a complex interplay of identities and power
relations, challenging traditional notions of dominance and subjugation . Bhabha's work enhances our understanding of how
colonial narratives function and how they can be deconstructed through a postcolonial lens, shedding light on the intricate
mechanisms of power and resistance at play in Robinson Crusoe. (Raouf Aminzadeh, Fatemeh Sadat Basirizadeh, Narges
Raoufzadeh, Shiva Zaheri Birgani)
VI. Conclusion
In conclusion, the postcolonial analysis of Robinson Crusoe illuminates the ways in which imperialism and Orientalist
ideologies are embedded within the text. By applying Edward Said's theories of Orientalism and Homi Bhabha's concepts of
hybridity and mimicry, we can see how the novel perpetuates colonial attitudes and stereotypes. Through examining the
complex power dynamics between Crusoe and Friday, as well as the portrayal of indigenous peoples and cultures, it becomes
apparent that Defoe's work reflects the dominant discourse of his time. However, by critically engaging with these themes and
unpacking the underlying ideologies present in the text, we can begin to challenge and deconstruct colonial narratives and
envision new ways of understanding and interpreting literature and history. Ultimately, this analysis encourages readers to
question their own assumptions and perspectives, and to engage in a more nuanced and critical dialogue about the legacies of
colonialism in literature and society.
References
● T. Stuessy, Floristic Period (1876–1906), paper, 2020
● Filiz Çiçek, Engendering Orientalism, paper, 2021
● L. Rasheed, Reem Adnan Hamad, The Representation of Refugees’ Crisis through the Lenses of Edward Said’s
Orientalism: A Post-Colonial Study of Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, paper, 2022
● Raouf Aminzadeh, Fatemeh Sadat Basirizadeh, Narges Raoufzadeh, Shiva Zaheri Birgani, Postcolonial Study on Guest
by Camus in the lens of Homi Ke Bhabha, paper, 2022