Here is my presentation on the paper Neoclassical Literature on "colonialism" in Gulliver's Travel .

1. ● Name : Rita Dabhi
● Sem :1
● Roll no. : 28
● Enrollment no. : 2069108420200007
● Paper : Neoclassical Literature
● Topic : Colonialism in “Robinson Crusoe”
● Submitted : Department of English
MKB University
● Batch : 2019-2021
● Email : dabhirita1198@gmail.com

2. About Author : Daniel Defoe
● Born : 1660
● Died : 24th April 1731
● He was an English trader , writer ,
journalist , pamphleteer and spy .
● he was also a pioneer of business
journalism .
● His notable works are :
○ “ Robinson Crusoe “
○ “ Moll Flanders “
○ “ Colonel Jake “
○ “ Hymn to the pillory “

3. ∆ What is colonialism :-
“ colonialism is a policy of nation seeking to extend or
retain its authority over other people or territories ,
generally with the aim of economic dominance ’’.
∆ Dictionary meaning :-
“ The policy or practice of a wealthy or
powerful Nation's maintaining or
extending its control over other
countries , specially in establishing
settlement or exploring resources ” .

4. ∆ Colonialism in Robinson Crusoe :-
● Robinson Crusoe has become the
prototype “ colonial novel ’’ .
● And has helped postcolonial critics
thrive on its many nuances and
themes including colonial
domination racialised relations ,
power and the hegemony and
geographical conquest .

5. ● Colonialism originated in a fantasy of power and
control .
● The European worked at making the dream /
fantasy real .
Daniel Defoe shows two interesting
features in the Robinson Crusoe :

6. Crusoe Friday
Master
Slave

7. ∆ Imagination , Power and Dominance :
● This is the colonial theme where the wightman
established his rule and dominance over the native land
and people .
● The colonial theme is a made explicit in a series of
thoughts Crusoe has :
“ My island was now peopled , and I thought very
rich in subjects and it was a me a merry reflection which
I frequently made ……. ’’
● Here Crusoe imagens himself Governor , ruler , authority
and sole power .

8. ● Thus Crusoe who imagines himself as a ruler than
proceeds to materially and actuality , dominate Friday
and Island itself .
● It is also significant that Crusoe names the man he
meets .
“ I made him now his name should be Friday ,
which was the day I saved his life : I called him so for the
memory of the time ; I likewise taught him to say master ,
and then let him know that to be my name”.

9. ● He called him ‘Friday’ which may or may not be the Man's
‘real’ name . Naming the place one discovered was a
convention of all colonial exploration .
● Naming gave European colonial travel a certain privilege
and power over the object name .
● Crusoe also casts himself in the roll of ruler through the
language , power and politics .
● Naming thus become an act of possession and power which
establish the relation between the ‘discover’ (Crusoe) and the
‘discovered’ (Friday).

10. ● Colonialism is also seen in how Crusoe treats Friday
once they leave the Island . Crusoe answer to prayer ,
one who he looked to like a son , he “civilize" so that he
can become a part of the great land of England , but
not as a brother of friend only as a servant .
“ ……..my man Friday accompanying me
very honestly in all these ramblings , and proving a
most faithful servant upon all accessions”.