"Robinson Crusoe"

Paper Summary:

This paper delves into the themes of capitalism and economics that are clearly evident in Defoe's novel. The writer of this well-researched paper describes why this particular novel has been and continues to be used by many economic theorists as a tool to illustrate the ideals of homo-economics. This paper details the numerous passages in the novel that point to Crusoe's blatant capitalist tendencies. Robinson Crusoe, has a home and family, yet he leaves them in order to improve his own economic condition. The writer of the paper contends and explains how Crusoe's island gives him total autonomy to realize his economic goals. This paper also examines the manner in which Crusoe puts a price on love and intimacy. For Crusoe, women have only one important role to play and it is an economic one.

From the Paper:

"What might at first appear to place Robinson Crusoe in the somewhat special category of "Travel and Adventure" does not, then, altogether does so. The plot's reliance on travel does tend to allot Robinson Crusoe a somewhat peripheral position in the novel's line of development, since it removes the hero from his usual setting in a stable and cohesive pattern of social relations. But Crusoe is not a mere footloose adventurer, and his travels, like his freedom from social ties, are merely somewhat extreme cases of tendencies that are normal in modern society as a whole, since, by making the pursuit of gain a primary motive, economic individualism has much increased the mobility of the individual."

More papers on "Robinson Crusoe":

• Book Review # 97360 : "Order and Disorder in "Robinson Crusoe"
• Book Review # 37156 : "Robinson Crusoe and Morality"
• Book Review # 74932 : "Master Robinson Crusoe & A Lonely Mariner"
• Analytical Essay # 125765 : "Defoe's "Robinson Crusoe"

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