Independent Reading Assignment Post #2

Jack Blanchard

As I read this story, I couldn't help but notice the similarity between Robinson Crusoe and the film Castaway.  They aren't similar merely because both characters get stranded on an island as a result of some sort of wreck, I notice that both protagonists act alike in various situations.  One main example of this can be seen in the relationship between Tom Hanks' character and his friend Wilson.  Now, for those of you who are not familiar with the film, Wilson is a volleyball that Hanks scavenges from the washed up cargo on the shore.  Wilson is given human characteristics when Hanks places a bloody handprint on Wilson that resembles a face.  Wilson and Hanks become very close and go through many hardships together.  The most emotional being when Wilson floats away in the middle of the ocean as Tom Hanks screams his famous line, "WILSOOOONNNN, WILSOOOONNN".  Crusoe comes to meet Friday in a eerily similar fashion.  Friday 'washes' up on shore, and is in turn rescued by Crusoe.  Friday and Crusoe also become very good friends and learn to live side-by-side with each other.  Friday decides that he doesn't want to return to his own people but would rather stay with Crusoe and brave the storm together.  Man, I wish I had a friend like that.
Another thing I noticed was a reappearing reference to religion.  The first main occurrence was upon Crusoe's arrival onto the island.  In order to keep track of his time spent on the island, Crusoe "cut it (the wood) with my knife upon a large post, in capital letters, and making it into a great cross" (Defoe 65).  I believe that Crusoe did this in order to establish some sort of connection between God and the predicament that he was in.  Later in the novel, Crusoe finds a footprint on the beach near his dwelling. After the initial shock of the idea that he may not be alone on the island, Crusoe convinces himself that the print is one made by the Devil.  This speaks to Crusoe's growing want to be alone.  Instead of being excited at the fact that there may be other human life on the island, he immediately assumes it is the work of the Devil.
Throughout the piece, Crusoe stays true to his religion.  His religion and relationship to "Providence" very much keeps him from going mad where it is very easy to do so.  His experience on the island could be compared to, I don't know, maybe a 40 day stint in the desert?  They only have a few things in common; lack of food/resources, a run in with the devil (footprint), and a valiant return back to humanity.  I'm surprised that it took me that long to figure it out.