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mairiairi 's review for:
Robinson Crusoe
by Daniel Defoe
Aside from the fact that this book is incredibly racist (because it was written by a white man in the 17th or 18th century so it shouldn't be a huge shock - also because I'm sure that, compared to other books in that era, it was probably very progressive for making a Black man someone to root for), the main character is incredible two-dimensional. Not only does he not have much of a personality, he doesn't have any charisma, and I have a hard time finding reasons to root for him. In fact, I got so sick of his stodgy, boring, uptight, religious personality that I was hoping it would end with him either dying alone and hopeless on the island or roasting on a spit for the cannibals to enjoy.
I'm a Christian and was not only annoyed by the inaccurate portrayal of Christianity in this book (completely unbiblical), but was also at a loss to finding a reason for Christianity being in the book at all. Why would there be religion? Is the point that, in being alone, all humans turn to God? I'd be inclined to argue it's the opposite - we're more likely to go crazy, lose our minds and our hope, and become animalistic than look to something we can't see or hear or feel or touch. I'm also not convinced that's even the argument Defoe was trying to push. (And from the books and articles I've read, when you're alone with your mind, you're more likely to look for things you can see, touch, feel, understand easily. God is not any of those things. So even if that is the argument he's trying to teach, it's a faulty one.)
Besides the fact that he becomes an odd kook, he also ditches those religious ideals as soon as it suits him so really what's the point of your religion in the first place if it's only there when convenient for you? Sounds like his religion wasn't based on true faith, in which case, again, what purpose is the religious there for? Certainly not to drive the plot forward or to add layers to the character when it's more of a cloak he wears to look good, something he takes off when it hampers him.
All in all confused at the purpose of the story and what could be gained by reading about a pompous fart who thinks himself morally superior simply because of his waxing and waning religious beliefs and the color of his skin. I see enough of that in today's day and age, thank you, I don't need to read about it in ye olde English too.
I'm a Christian and was not only annoyed by the inaccurate portrayal of Christianity in this book (completely unbiblical), but was also at a loss to finding a reason for Christianity being in the book at all. Why would there be religion? Is the point that, in being alone, all humans turn to God? I'd be inclined to argue it's the opposite - we're more likely to go crazy, lose our minds and our hope, and become animalistic than look to something we can't see or hear or feel or touch. I'm also not convinced that's even the argument Defoe was trying to push. (And from the books and articles I've read, when you're alone with your mind, you're more likely to look for things you can see, touch, feel, understand easily. God is not any of those things. So even if that is the argument he's trying to teach, it's a faulty one.)
Besides the fact that he becomes an odd kook, he also ditches those religious ideals as soon as it suits him so really what's the point of your religion in the first place if it's only there when convenient for you? Sounds like his religion wasn't based on true faith, in which case, again, what purpose is the religious there for? Certainly not to drive the plot forward or to add layers to the character when it's more of a cloak he wears to look good, something he takes off when it hampers him.
All in all confused at the purpose of the story and what could be gained by reading about a pompous fart who thinks himself morally superior simply because of his waxing and waning religious beliefs and the color of his skin. I see enough of that in today's day and age, thank you, I don't need to read about it in ye olde English too.