Friday's Representation and the Myth of the
'Noble Savage' in Robinson Crusoe
Robinson Crusoe is a famous English novel written by Daniel
Defoe in 1719. It tells the story of a man named Robinson Crusoe
who becomes stuck on a lonely island after a shipwreck. He lives
alone for many years until one day, he saves a native man from a
group of cannibals. Crusoe names this man “Friday” because he
saved him on a Friday. From that moment, Friday becomes
Crusoe’s helper, servant, and friend.
Friday is a very important part of the story. He is not just Crusoe’s
companion but also a symbol of how European people in the
1700s thought about native people. Many readers and scholars
say that Friday is shown as a “noble savage.” This means he is
presented as a kind, innocent, and simple man who lives close to
nature. In that time, many Europeans believed that people who
lived outside of cities, in forests or islands, were more pure and
honest. But this idea is also harmful because it makes native
people look simple and less intelligent than Europeans.
In the novel, Friday is shown as a brave and kind man. He is loyal
to Crusoe, learns to speak English, becomes a Christian, and calls
Crusoe “Master.” Crusoe teaches him everything—how to speak,
what to believe, and how to live. Friday always listens and agrees.
The story never tells us about Friday’s past, his real name, or
what his life was like before he met Crusoe. That part of him is
erased.
Crusoe sees himself as a teacher and Friday as a student. He
thinks he is helping Friday become a better person. But he never
asks Friday what he wants or needs. Friday never gets to make his
own decisions. This shows how much power Crusoe has over him.
It also shows how people in those times thought it was okay to
change others to make them “civilized.”
Even though Friday is shown as a good and smart person, the
story only respects him after he accepts Crusoe’s way of life. His
own culture, religion, and beliefs are ignored. Crusoe believes that
his European ways are better. This is a strong example of colonial
thinking, where powerful countries believed they had the right to
rule over others and change them.
In the story, Friday speaks only in short and simple sentences. He
doesn’t have a strong voice. We only know what he says and
thinks through Crusoe. This means Friday is not shown as a full
person with his own ideas. He is more like a helper in Crusoe’s
journey than a hero of his own.
At one point, Friday asks Crusoe a very smart question: “Why
doesn’t God just kill the Devil?” This shows that Friday can think
deeply. But Crusoe does not take this seriously. He just continues
teaching Friday what he believes. Even when Friday shows
intelligence, his ideas are not treated equally.
Some readers say that Crusoe and Friday become friends. It is
true that they care for each other and work together. Crusoe is
less lonely after Friday comes. But their friendship is not equal.
Crusoe is always the leader, and Friday is always below him.
Friday does not have the freedom to choose his own path.
One important thing is Friday’s name. Crusoe gives him that
name without asking what his real name is. This shows that
Crusoe does not care about Friday’s identity. He just wants to
make him into someone new—someone more like a European.
Giving someone a new name is a way of taking away their past.
Many modern writers and thinkers believe this kind of story
supports colonialism. Edward Said, a famous scholar, said that
Western books often show native people as weak and needing
help. Friday fits this picture. He is only accepted because he
listens and obeys. Crusoe’s power and kindness are shown as
good, while Friday’s culture is never respected.
To conclude, Friday’s character in Robinson Crusoe helps us
understand how literature can support colonial ideas. He is shown
as loyal and noble, but only because he gives up his own identity.
He does not get to speak for himself or make his own choices.
Crusoe controls his life and story. This reminds us that many
books written in the past told only one side of the story—the
European side. Friday’s silence shows us how native voices were
ignored, even when they played a big part in the story.
