Daniel Defoe wrecks Robinson Crusoe and leaves him stranded alone on an island for the next 28 years. Crusoe’s ability to dominate his island surrounds allows him to maintain his humanity rather than succumbing his primal impulses and animalistic tendencies. Crusoe is able to adapt, which contrasts the inflexible cannibals of the island and the animal life. Crusoe was not Defoe’s earliest example of human control. Crusoe makes a daring attempt to escape slavery after being captured. His flight is Defoe introducing adaptability and Crusoe demonstrating mastery through his dominance of Xury.
Crusoe’s isolation is a source of distress, but he also feels grateful that he survived the shipwreck. Crusoe is also fortunate to be chosen by Captain Sallee as a prize. Although he doesn’t feel lucky, the alternative is worse: being “carried to the Emperor Court from the Country” and possibly dying (17). Crusoe may feel “perfectly engulfed” as if he had “been overtaken by the Hand of Heaven, and was ruined beyond redemption”(17). Crusoe is a pessimist, and that’s understandable. No one is able to maintain an Odysseus like optimism.
Crusoe quickly shifts his negative attitude, after being captured, to one of adaptability and a new outlook. “I pondered nothing but My Escape” (18). First, Crusoe “hopes” that the Captain will take him with him on his next voyage, as he believes that someday he’ll be captured by an armed Portuguese or Spanish man of war, and I will then be at liberty (17). Crusoe starts to come up with different escape schemes after he’s left alone on “Shoar” to care for his garden (18). Crusoe tried to find a way out for two years but nothing worked until the Captain gave him the task of fishing in an offshore Longboat with a compass and provisions (19). Crusoe’s thoughts of deliverance were triggered when Crusoe, in a Longboat fully stocked with provisions, was sent out to sea. The only people aboard the boat were Xury and a Moor. He sneaks supplies and tools on the boat before pushing the Moor into the water. Crusoe transforms from a passive, dependent man to a confident, risk-taking individual. He is willing to “shoot [Moor] through the head” if he does not return to the boat and let Crusoe escape.
Xury, the last obstacle to overcome, is now the only one left. Crusoe is faced with three choices: he could push Xury under the water and embrace him or force him into servitude. He decides on the second option, threatening that he will “throw you in the Sea” if Xury doesn’t “stroak your facial expression to be true to my me” (21). Xury replied that he “swore faithfulness to me and would go everywhere with me” (21). This clearly defined their relationship as master-slave. Defoe uses Crusoe to demonstrate the adaptability of humans. The ease with Xury’s servitude is a precursor to the virtual enslavement that occurs later in the novel.
Crusoe relinquishes his racist mentality and embraces companionship. In this adaptation, companionship plays a role. Crusoe says, “I gave the boy a Dram when we were talking about the dangers posed by lions” (22). Crusoe writes that Xury’s offer to risk his own life in order to gather water made him fall in love with the boy. Crusoe is embracing Xury with a commonplace embrace to a modern reader desensitized about racial discrimination. But Crusoe, in his affection for Xury as well as Friday, criticizes and transcends the racial prejudices of Defoe’s era.
Crusoe and Xury’s relationship is affectionate, but not dominant. This is true even when nature requires adaptation. Crusoe has Xury kill the “dreadful Monster” that is fast asleep on a hillock. Xury replies timidly, “Me kill!” He ate me in one mouth” (25). Crusoe shoots himself the monstrous beast, reaffirming his supremacy. Choosing the lion to be killed also shows adaptability and kindness towards Xury demonstrates compassionate. Crusoe sacrifices food in order to keep Friday around. This happens later on, when Crusoe takes her as his companion. This act of kindness is akin to Crusoe sacrificing food for Xury. Crusoe, despite not being dependent on Xury in the least, is motivated by compassion and his survival instincts are outweighed.
Xury, who has been sailing for weeks in a makeshift boat with his friends, finally catches a view of a large ship. “Masters, Masters, a Ship of Sail” (29). Crusoe is able to identify the ship’s nationality as Portuguese and resolves, “to speak with it if at all possible” (30). The two boats are far enough apart. Crusoe uses his Patroons Antient to “Signal a distress, and fire’d a gun, both of which they saw.” (30). The Portuguese ship is waiting, believing that Crusoe has “some European Boat” that they assumed must be a part of a lost ship. Crusoe Xury is saved when they tell their story.
Crusoe’s mastery of his ship and Xury is evident in the “Return for my Deliverance”. However, the captain declines this gift (30). The captain buys Crusoe’s possessions piece by piece. Crusoe “reluctantly” sells the Boy’s Libertay when he offers to pay “60 pieces of eight more for my Boy Xury.” (31). Crusoe faces a dilemma when he offers “60 Pieces of Eight more for my Boy Xury” (31). It would be better for him to take the money, but he would lose a good friend. Crusoe has to give in because his dominant personality overpowers Xury’s compassion.
Crusoe’s escape, his survival on foreign waters and his eventual delivery by the Portuguese vessel all show his mastery over the environment. The adaptation he made in the face the adversity of his situation foreshadows the eventual mastery he would achieve on the deserted islands. Robinson Crusoe, and Crusoe’s dominance of the island will forever be associated with the “footprint on the sand”. However, Defoe has established themes of adaptability and dominance throughout the entire story.
