Thinking Activity : J.M. Coetzee's 'Foe'
This blog is apart of thinking activity about the comparative study of J.M. Coetzee's 'Foe' and Daniel Defoe's 'Robinson Crusoe' assigned by Megha Mam.
Introduction of J.M. Coetzee :
J.M. Coetzee (born February 9, 1940, Cape Town, South Africa) is a South African novelist, critic, and translator noted for his novels about the effects of colonization. In 2003 he won the Nobel Prize for Literature. Coetzee was educated at the University of Cape Town (B.A., 1960; M.A., 1963) and the University of Texas (Ph.D., 1969).
Comparative Study and Critical Analysis of Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe and J. M. Coetzee’s Foe
1. Setting and Plot
In Robinson Crusoe, the protagonist, Robinson Crusoe, is shipwrecked on a deserted island where he spends 27 years. The novel is about his survival, self-reliance, and eventual "civilization" of the island, primarily through the help of his servant, Friday, a "savage" whom Crusoe saves.
In Foe, the story starts when Susan Barton washes up on an island and meets Cruso (the Englishman) and Friday (the mute black man). Unlike Crusoe, Susan, not Cruso, narrates her story to the English writer Daniel Foe, aiming to have her account published. The novel delves into the complexities of storytelling, colonization, and the treatment of Friday, who is not only mute but also castrated.
2. Main Characters and Their Roles
Robinson Crusoe is a self-sufficient, individualistic man who adapts to his harsh surroundings. He is the "master" of the island and sees Friday as his servant, teaching him English and converting him to Christianity.
Friday in Robinson Crusoe is a silent, subjugated figure who is loyal to Crusoe. However, his humanity is often reduced to a stereotype of the "noble savage" who is grateful to Crusoe for saving him.
In Foe, the roles of Cruso and Friday are more complex. Cruso is portrayed as irrational and unaware of the passage of time, while Friday is more than just a servant; he is a silent, oppressed figure whose own narrative is ignored. Coetzee critiques the dehumanization of Friday, making him a central figure whose voice is deliberately silenced in both Cruso's and Susan’s narratives.
3. Themes of Colonialism and Race
Robinson Crusoe reflects the colonial mindset of the 18th century, where Crusoe sees himself as a civilizer of the "savage" lands and the "savage" people, particularly through his treatment of Friday. Crusoe's view of himself as a superior, European man is a product of colonial thinking, reinforcing the idea of the colonizer’s dominance over the colonized.
Foe challenges this colonial narrative. Through Susan’s perspective and Friday’s silenced voice, Coetzee addresses the complexities of colonial power dynamics. The act of silencing Friday, both literally (through his castration and muteness) and figuratively (through the failure of others to recognize his story), is a criticism of colonialism’s erasure of the voices of the colonized.
4. Narrative Structure and Storytelling
Robinson Crusoe is written in the first person, with Crusoe recounting his story of survival and triumph. The novel emphasizes the importance of individualism and self-reliance, reflecting the values of the time.
Foe, on the other hand, is more reflective about the act of storytelling itself. Susan Barton is the main narrator, and she is actively involved in reshaping the narrative of Crusoe’s island. She challenges the original story by focusing on her own perspective and the treatment of Friday. Coetzee’s novel emphasizes the role of the writer in shaping history and questions whose stories are worth telling.
5. Isolation and Human Connection
In Robinson Crusoe, Crusoe’s isolation is initially traumatic but later becomes a source of pride. Crusoe views himself as a lone conqueror of the wilderness. His relationship with Friday, while initially master-servant, evolves over time, but Crusoe maintains a sense of superiority.
In Foe, isolation is presented more critically. Susan, unlike Crusoe, is keenly aware of her loneliness and desires connection, especially with Friday. Her interactions with Friday are more complex, and her sense of guilt over bringing him to England highlights the darker aspects of colonialism. The relationship between Susan and Friday is less about mastery and more about mutual understanding and recognition of their shared plight.
6. Gender and Power
In Robinson Crusoe, gender roles are largely absent, as the novel focuses more on survival and the relationship between Crusoe and Friday. Crusoe's isolation means that gender is less of a focus, though Crusoe’s individualism reflects traditional masculine values.
In Foe, gender plays a significant role, particularly through Susan Barton, who challenges the traditional male-dominated narrative. Susan’s refusal to reveal her personal story to Daniel Foe, especially the scandalous parts of her past, reveals her resistance to being controlled or objectified. Susan's relationship with Friday also contrasts with Crusoe's ownership of him. She tries to see him as a person rather than an object to be controlled.
7. Conclusion
Both novels engage with themes of survival, colonization, and identity, but in different ways. Robinson Crusoe is more focused on the individual’s journey of self-reliance, while Foe critiques the colonial narrative, offering a more complex exploration of race, power, and voice. Through Susan's eyes, Foe seeks to give a voice to the silenced characters of Robinson Crusoe, particularly Friday, and challenges the idea of who gets to tell the story. While Crusoe's story is one of triumph over adversity, Foe suggests that the true story is one of oppression, silence, and the need for recognition of the oppressed.
Robinson Crusoe presents a colonial narrative from the perspective of the colonizer, while Foe reimagines the story, giving a more critical voice to the colonized, especially Friday, and highlighting the consequences of colonialism.
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