On Protagonists in Robinson Crusoe & Oroonoko

李小玺

Daniel Defoe，the author of Robinson Crusoe，and Aphra Behn，the author of Oroonoko，both present their work as a memoir，a personal account of what they have heard and seen.The former is an adventure story and the latter is a travel narrative.Both novels are notable for the exploration of slavery，race and gender.Hero in each is courageous，intellectual and high-minded.They are representatives of humanity in general.Both of them are in charge of certain power.Robinson Crusoe is a master on the island and Oroonoko，a prince in the old-world court Although they have several closely parallel similarities，there are apparently some differences between them.They have different pursuits in life，different attitudes towards slaves and different influence on society.

Robinson Crusoes only prominent characteristic is the spirit of enterprise beneath which pursuing money and power is the dominant motivation，of course，including the desire of self-preservation.He always fights for a better material existence.He is fascinated by gold.For instance，once he went on board，and he found about thirty-six pounds value in money，even though he know that money has no use for him temporarily，he nevertheless takes the coins，having a shrewed eye on their use in future.Besides money，he also pursues power.He hoped all his people owed their lives to him and were ready to lay down their lives.To Friday，Robinson Crusoe treated him as a slave.He asked him to do lots of things for him，like a master to a slave.“I made him know his Name should be Friday，which was the Day I savd his Life； I calld him so for the Memory of the Time； I likewise taught him to say Master，and then let him know，that was to be my Name； I likewise taught him t say，Yes，and No，and to know the Meaning of them”.（P206）In his eyes，the world belongs to the white who are superior to the black.At the same time，Friday，in fact，is an instrument of expanded production.Friday provides labor，which is exploited by Crusoe who exercises absolutely control over him，including the right to name him.Robinson Crusoe is cast as a typical eighteenth-century middle class tradesman，with most of the qualities of the “complete English tradesman” without anyone to trade with.He is the very prototype of the empire builder，the pioneer colonist.Of course，we cannot neglect his success in building up a private colony is mainly due to his own unaided efforts，his courage and patience.

Unlike Crusoe，Oroonoko，a black male hero，is one of victims of the brutal commerce in human beings.As a brave，handsome and educated black，very different from Crasoe，he pursues love，justice，freedom and human equality，which are basic rights for human beings.He aims at glory and honor in his life.He loves Imoinda，a pretty girl，with his heart and soul.“He made her vows that she should be the only woman he would possess while he lived； that no age or wrinkles should incline him to change，for her soul would be always fine and always young，and should look into his heart for that idea when he could find it no linger in her face.”（P1872）He is faithful to Imoinda whose love is main reason to keep his life go on.After the false message Imoinda was put to death was sent to him，Oroonoko just assured him there was no account of revenge to be adjusted between him and the old king，if there were，that was the aggressor and that death would be just.He is very royal.But，because of losing Imoinda，he becomes pessimistic and almost sinks in despair of his life.As to treating blacks or captives，he is fair，different from Crusoe treating Friday and other savages.For example，after the total defeat of Jamoans army，he caught Jamoan and never put him among the rank of captives，on the contrary，he kept him in his court.They establish good relationship later.And he，a prince is so friendly to every black that everyone loves him，and offers him much help when he is in trouble.But unfortunately he failed in breaking away from being a slave.In order to be honor，he killed his wife，his child and himself，too.He cannot survive in such a world where the racial discrimination exists and where is lack of secure authority，and steady friendship.Oroonoko represents the position of blacks.Though a royal prince，he is doomed to fail in fighting for justice，reason and love，which is only due to his black origin.The destiny of Oroonoko is not personal but the destiny of the black，because his life experience is the symbol of theirs.

In summary，comparing protagonists Crusoe and Oroonoko makes us know more about them.Except those differences above，other aspects also can be compared，for example，Christianity，brutality and truth claim are mentioned in both novels.A deeper exploration will make us have a keener interest in the novels and a better understanding about them.

References：

[1]Behn，Aphra.Oroonoko.Brooklyn： The Temple-Coyflers，1688.

[2]Defoe，Daniel.Robinson Crusoe.Beijing： The Commercial Press，1995.

[3]Rogers，Pat.Daniel Defoe： The Critical Heritage.Great Britain： T J Press，1995.

[4]Watt，Ian.The Rise of the Novel.California： University of California Press，1957.