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The Images of Robinson by Defoe and Tournier from the Eco-criticism Perspective

Author: LiZuoZuo
Tutor: JiShuiHe
School: Xiangtan University
Course: Comparative Literature and World Literature
Keywords: Robison Daniel Defoe Michel Tournier eco-criticism
CLC: I0-03
Type: Master's thesis
Year: 2009
Downloads: 272
Quote: 1
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Abstract


The image of character Robinson is created by both Daniel Defoe, the English novelist of the eighteenth century, and Michel Tournier, the French writer in the twentieth century. Although the themes of their stories have much in common with regard to sources, what these two stories imply are absolutely different.In Defoe’s story, Robinson, with strong aggressiveness and desire to conquer, is a represent of the New People of Bourgeoisie and a defender of human civilization and values; Friday is just another name for barbarism and ignorance, meaning nothing but a tool. However, Robinson created by Tournier entails deep philosophical meanings. Upon self-examination, he thinks of righteousness after making some achievements in conquering and changing nature, gradually realizes modern civilization is built upon destruction to nature, and finally feels disappointed even desperate with modern civilization. Friday in Tournier’s works, given with new meanings, becomes an instructor of civilized man in the modern age instead of a passive accepter and the ignorant“Other”. Nature is also changed into spiritual home from mechanic material.Eco-criticism rises in Europe and America in the latter half of the twentieth century. It is a direct response to more and more serious environmental issues. Eco-criticism reflects on the social and cultural roots of environmental issues, criticizing the inner of western culture. It will help review their significances to analyze the image Robinson in Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe and Tournier’s Vendredi ou les limbes du Pacifique and La fin de Robinson Crusoéfrom the perspective of eco-criticism to reveal covered anti-ecological theme of the former and the implied ecological factors of the latter.

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