Thinking Activity : J.M Coetzee's Foe

 

           

          Comparative and Critical Analysis of Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe and J.M. Coetzee’s Foe

Introduction : 

        Foe is a postcolonial reimagining of Daniel Defoe's classic novel Robinson Crusoe by the South African-born British author J.M. Coetzee. First published in 1986, Foe challenges traditional notions of authorship, narrative authority, and colonial history. The novel retells the story from the perspective of Susan Barton, a woman who becomes stranded on Crusoe's island and who later seeks to claim her place in the tale. The character of Friday, the mute and subjugated servant in Defoe's original, is also given a voice in Coetzee's revision, further deconstructing colonial power dynamics.

Through this reimagining, Foe addresses themes such as the legacy of colonialism, the representation of the "Other," and the ethics of storytelling. Coetzee critiques the power relations embedded in colonial narratives and examines how history is often written by the victors, marginalizing voices of those who have been oppressed. The novel ultimately explores the nature of fiction itself, raising questions about the ownership of stories, the complexities of identity, and the possibility of justice in postcolonial contexts.

Overview of Robinson Crusoe

Robinson Crusoe is a novel written by Daniel Defoe, first published in 1719. It tells the story of anEnglishman, Robinson Crusoe, who becomes stranded on a deserted island in the Caribbean after a shipwreck. The novel is presented as Crusoe's autobiographical account of his survival and adventures on the island, spanning over 28 years.

One of the most notable aspects of the novel is Crusoe's relationship with the island's native inhabitant, whom he names Friday. The dynamics between Crusoe and Friday explore themes of colonialism, civilization, and power. Crusoe views himself as a civilizing influence, while Friday comes to represent both a companion and a symbol of the "other" in the colonial mindset.

The novel is often considered one of the first English novels and has had a significant impact on literature, influencing adventure and survival stories. It is also viewed as a reflection of the socio-political context of Defoe's time, particularly issues of imperialism, individualism, and the dynamics of power.

Overview of Foe : 

Foe is a novel by J.M. Coetzee, first published in 1986. It is a retelling of Daniel Defoe's classic Robinson Crusoe, with a focus on the themes of colonialism, identity, and power. The novel centers around Susan Barton, a woman stranded on an island, who recounts her experiences to the famous writer, Mr. Foe, in an effort to have her story published.

In Coetzee's version, the island is inhabited by the mute Friday, a character traditionally depicted as the "savage" in Defoe’s narrative. However, Coetzee gives Friday a voice, and the novel explores the complexities of race and the colonial relationship between the colonizer and the colonized. The novel also examines the narrative process itself, questioning who has the authority to tell a story and whose voice gets marginalized.

Foe critiques the power structures embedded in colonial literature, particularly how such narratives often suppress the stories of the oppressed. The novel intertwines postcolonial themes with an exploration of the act of storytelling, offering a profound commentary on the creation of history and the dynamics of power.

Comparative Analysis : 

  A comparative analysis of Foe by J.M. Coetzee and Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe examines how both novels engage with themes such as colonialism, isolation, identity, and power dynamics, but approach these topics in vastly different ways due to their historical and cultural contexts.

•  Colonialism and Power Dynamics

In Robinson Crusoe, the protagonist, Crusoe, embodies the colonial mindset of the 18th century, viewing the "savage" native, Friday, as an inferior being to be civilized. Crusoe's sense of ownership over the island and his dominance over Friday reflect the imperialistic attitude of the time.

In contrast, Foe (a postcolonial reimagining of Robinson Crusoe) critiques the colonial mindset. Through the character of Susan Barton, Coetzee challenges the one-sided narrative of Crusoe and Friday. Susan's voice gives a more nuanced perspective on the relationship between colonizer and colonized. The novel questions the assumptions of power, race, and ownership, especially by portraying Friday as a more complex and active character.

•  Isolation and Identity

In Robinson Crusoe, Crusoe’s isolation is a central theme, representing the individual's struggle to survive and assert control over nature. His personal development occurs in solitude, and his sense of self becomes defined by his mastery over his environment and Friday.

In Foe, isolation is also central, but it is more psychological than physical. Susan Barton’s isolation is compounded by her gender and social position, and her struggle for voice and agency contrasts with Crusoe’s self-sufficiency. The novel suggests that identity is not formed in isolation but through interaction with others, particularly with those marginalized by history and colonial power structures.

•  Narrative and Voice

Robinson Crusoe is told from a first-person perspective, with Crusoe himself controlling the narrative. This allows for a view of events from the point of view of the colonial master, reinforcing his authority and perspective.

Foe inverts this structure, offering multiple perspectives. Susan Barton tells her story, and Friday, who is silent in Defoe’s version, has a voice in Coetzee’s. This shift in narrative control allows for a critique of the hegemonic storytelling tradition in colonial literature.

• Humanity and Civilizational Values

Robinson Crusoe presents a Eurocentric view of civilization, where Crusoe's encounter with Friday and the indigenous population reflects a hierarchical view of human development. Crusoe sees himself as a beacon of civilization, attempting to "uplift" Friday.

In Foe, the idea of civilization is deconstructed. Friday's silenced voice in Robinson Crusoe is given significance in Foe, where the notion of what constitutes humanity and civilization is questioned. Coetzee presents the possibility of alternative ways of being and knowing, critiquing the civilizational values Crusoe upholds.

•  Gender and Representation

Robinson Crusoe marginalizes female characters, with women being largely absent or irrelevant to Crusoe's life on the island. This absence reinforces the gender norms of 18th-century society.

Foe centers on Susan Barton, a woman who is physically and metaphorically stranded. Through her character, Coetzee critiques the gendered dynamics in both Robinson Crusoe and colonial society. Her story is one of marginalization, but also of reclaiming agency in a male-dominated world.

Deconstructing Foe

     Deconstructing J.M. Coetzee’s Foe involves examining how the novel challenges the colonial narrative of Robinson Crusoe. Coetzee reimagines key elements, particularly the characters of Friday and Susan Barton, to expose the power structures, silences, and exclusions inherent in colonial discourse.

• Voice and Silence: In Robinson Crusoe, Friday is silenced, reflecting colonial subjugation. In Foe, Coetzee gives Friday a voice, albeit non-verbal, questioning the colonial assumption that silence equals inferiority. Friday’s silence becomes a form of resistance, destabilizing the colonial hierarchy.

•  Language and Power: Crusoe’s imposition of language on Friday reflects colonial domination. In Foe, Susan Barton’s struggle with language and narrative challenges the colonial idea that language can fully represent truth, revealing the power dynamics involved in storytelling.

•  Colonial Binaries: Coetzee deconstructs the colonizer/colonized binary by portraying Friday and Crusoe in more complex, fluid roles. This disrupts the rigid distinctions of civilization vs. barbarism, showing how these binaries are artificial constructs.

Rewriting History: Foe is a reimagining of history that critiques the exclusion of marginalized voices in the colonial narrative. Susan’s perspective challenges the absence of female and non-colonial voices in Robinson Crusoe, illustrating the subjectivity and power dynamics in historical memory.

Conclusion : 

The comparison of Robinson Crusoe and Foe illustrates a shift in the portrayal of colonial narratives. While Defoe’s novel reflects 18th-century colonial ideology, Coetzee’s Foe critiques and revises this legacy by giving voice to marginalized characters like Friday and Susan Barton. In Robinson Crusoe, the colonial power dynamics are reinforced through Crusoe’s control over the narrative, whereas Foe challenges this by emphasizing alternative perspectives. Coetzee deconstructs the singular colonial narrative, highlighting the need for a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of history, power, and identity.