J.M. Coetzee's Foe

Welcome to my blog,

This blog is part of our study. This Thinking activity is based on J.M. Coetzee's Foe and was assigned by Megha Ma'am Department of English MKBU. In this task we have to compare and critically analyze of Daniel Defoe's Robinson crusoe and J.M. Coetzee's Foe.

Introduction of ''Robinson Crusoe" by Daniel Defoe:

"Robinson Crusoe," written by Daniel Defoe, tells the story of an Englishman, Robinson Crusoe, who, against his family's wishes, embarks on a series of sea voyages. After surviving a shipwreck, he becomes marooned on a deserted island for over 28 years. During this time, Crusoe learns to survive, initially facing great challenges, such as food and shelter. He later rescues a native named Friday from cannibals, and they form a close bond. Eventually, Crusoe is rescued and returns to England, where he discovers his family is deceased, and he inherits great wealth from his plantations in Brazil. The novel ends with Crusoe contemplating further adventures.

Introduction of  J.M. Coetzee's Foe:

In "Foe" by J.M. Coetzee, Susan Barton is stranded on an island in the Atlantic Ocean with Cruso and Friday, the sole survivors of a shipwreck. Cruso and Friday lead a monotonous life building terraces on the island, despite a lack of crops. Cruso falls ill, and Susan tends to him. After a brief sexual encounter with Susan, Cruso dies just as a British ship rescues them.

Back in England, Susan presents her castaway narrative to the author Mr. Foe. She seeks his financial support and permission to turn her story into a book. Susan's life in England becomes mundane, and she takes up residence in Foe's abandoned home.

Susan begins to doubt Foe's intentions and grows weary of Friday's silence. A young girl claiming to be Susan's daughter from Bahia appears, causing confusion. Susan starts to add excitement to her narrative by exploring mysteries on the island, including Friday's silence and Cruso's obsession with terraces.

As time passes, Susan and Friday embark on a journey to Bristol, where they face hardships and discrimination. They return to London and reunite with Mr. Foe. Foe wants to focus on Susan's daughter in the book and insists on teaching Friday to write.

The narrative becomes disjointed, flashing between scenes in Daniel Defoe's house and the underwater remains of Cruso's ship. An unnamed narrator explores the shipwreck and discovers a scar around Friday's neck, leading to an enigmatic and symbolic conclusion.

Comparison and analysis -

Narrative Styles:

Robinson Crusoe" is presented as a first-person narrative written by the protagonist, Robinson Crusoe. It embodies the colonial mindset of its time, with Crusoe as the dominant European explorer who conquers and colonizes the "savage" lands.

"Foe," on the other hand, adopts a metafictional and postcolonial approach. It challenges the conventional narrative structure by having Susan Barton, a castaway, tell her story to the writer Daniel Foe (an allusion to Defoe himself) and Crusoe (a modified version of Crusoe). This narrative complexity underscores the question of who controls the narrative and whose story gets told.

Themes:

Colonialism and Imperialism: Both novels address the theme of colonialism, but from distinct angles. "Robinson Crusoe" reflects the colonialist perspective, while "Foe" critiques and deconstructs it. Coetzee's work highlights the brutal consequences of colonization and the voices silenced by the imperial narrative.

Power and Control: In "Robinson Crusoe," the protagonist exerts control over nature and Friday, reinforcing the idea of European dominance. In "Foe," power dynamics are challenged, with Susan Barton striving to give voice to the marginalized characters, like the mute Friday.

Identity and Otherness: Defoe's novel portrays the "Other" as savages, reinforcing stereotypes, while Coetzee's "Foe" delves into the complexities of identity and the struggle of marginalized individuals to define themselves in the face of colonial oppression.

Postcolonial Discourse:

Robinson Crusoe" can be seen as a colonial text that reflects the Eurocentric worldview of the 18th century, while "Foe" emerges as a postcolonial response. Coetzee deconstructs Defoe's narrative and exposes its limitations in representing the colonial experience. Through Susan Barton's perspective, Coetzee interrogates the power of storytelling and questions who gets to speak and whose story is considered worthy.

Deconstruction and Reconstruction:

"Robinson Crusoe":

"Robinson Crusoe" is a colonial text that aligns with the Eurocentric worldview of its era. It celebrates conquest, self-reliance, and the idea of taming the wilderness.

Defoe's novel, though a literary classic, is also a product of its time, perpetuating colonial attitudes and depicting the indigenous people through a Eurocentric lens.

"Foe":

"Foe" is a postcolonial reimagining that challenges and deconstructs Defoe's classic. Coetzee's work reconstructs the narrative, focusing on the voices and stories that were ignored or silenced in the original.

It raises questions about who controls the narrative, the power dynamics of storytelling, and the complexities of identity and communication in a colonial context.

Characters:

Robinson Crusoe: The central character, Robinson Crusoe, represents the colonial mindset of his time. He dominates the island and initially views the indigenous people as potential converts or threats.

Foe: "Foe" introduces Susan Barton, a castaway who seeks to reclaim her story. The character of Friday, who was silenced in Defoe's original narrative, is central to the story. Additionally, Daniel Foe, an allusion to Defoe himself, is a significant character representing the author's role in shaping the narrative.

Conclusion:

The comparative and critical analysis of "Robinson Crusoe" and "Foe" highlights the transformation of a classic narrative into a thought-provoking postcolonial response. Coetzee's "Foe" underscores the importance of recognizing the perspectives and stories of marginalized individuals, while questioning the authority of the colonizer in shaping the narrative. These two works engage in a profound dialogue, offering readers a deeper understanding of colonial and postcolonial discourse and the power of storytelling in redefining history.

Thank you for Reading and Visiting...