When European colonial authors introduced us to the native, they created the native; the native character became more real to European readers than the actual inhabitants of the New World.
The natives' overwhelming otherness eclipsed any individuality that might have been found among them. The native was childish, usually incapable of reason, and savagely unchristian, opposite to the European. Robinson Crusoe was the first one who introduced us to Friday as a different native in certain way.
Friday, and the native that he represented, continues to exist even in post-colonial literature. Generally, he did become a stereotype in literature but Friday-Crusoe relation was quite different from typical European-native relations of the colonial era.
The natives' overwhelming otherness eclipsed any individuality that might have been found among them. The native was childish, usually incapable of reason, and savagely unchristian, opposite to the European. Robinson Crusoe was the first one who introduced us to Friday as a different native in certain way.
Friday, and the native that he represented, continues to exist even in post-colonial literature. Generally, he did become a stereotype in literature but Friday-Crusoe relation was quite different from typical European-native relations of the colonial era.
““Over the past few decades the encounter between Robinson and Friday has taken on significance that Daniel Defoe was a thousand leagues from even suspecting.” Michel Tournier. The Wind Spirit”
In colonial literature, the native was, as a general rule, ugly. For example, Robinson Crusoe describes Friday's skin color as an exception to the "ugly yellow nauseous tawny, as the Brasilians, and Virginians, and other natives of America" had (208).
In his idealization of his new slave, Crusoe pointed out that he did not have the ugly skin that the natives commonly had. By separating Friday from the typical native, he improved the appearance of him. Robinson describing Friday:” He was a comely handsome Fellow, perfectly well made; with straight strong Limbs, not too large; tall and well shap'd, and as I reckon, about twenty six Years of Age. He had a very good Countenance, not a fierce and surly Aspect; but seem'd to have something very manly in his Face, and yet he had all the Sweetness and Softness of an European in his Countenance too, especially when he smil'd. His Hair was long and black, not curl'd like Wool; his Forehead very high, and large, and a great Vivacity and sparkling Sharpness in his Eyes. The Colour of his Skin was not quite black, but very tawny; and yet not of an ugly yellow nauseous tawny, as the Brasilians, and Virginians, and other Natives of America are; but of a bright kind of a dun olive Colour, that had in it something very agreeable; tho' not very easy to describe. His Face was round, and plump; his Nose small, not flat like the Negroes, a very good Mouth, thin Lips, and his line Teeth well set, and white as Ivory.“ He appears in contrast to the "Negroes."
In his idealization of his new slave, Crusoe pointed out that he did not have the ugly skin that the natives commonly had. By separating Friday from the typical native, he improved the appearance of him. Robinson describing Friday:” He was a comely handsome Fellow, perfectly well made; with straight strong Limbs, not too large; tall and well shap'd, and as I reckon, about twenty six Years of Age. He had a very good Countenance, not a fierce and surly Aspect; but seem'd to have something very manly in his Face, and yet he had all the Sweetness and Softness of an European in his Countenance too, especially when he smil'd. His Hair was long and black, not curl'd like Wool; his Forehead very high, and large, and a great Vivacity and sparkling Sharpness in his Eyes. The Colour of his Skin was not quite black, but very tawny; and yet not of an ugly yellow nauseous tawny, as the Brasilians, and Virginians, and other Natives of America are; but of a bright kind of a dun olive Colour, that had in it something very agreeable; tho' not very easy to describe. His Face was round, and plump; his Nose small, not flat like the Negroes, a very good Mouth, thin Lips, and his line Teeth well set, and white as Ivory.“ He appears in contrast to the "Negroes."
“After defining the obvious physical characteristics of Friday, Robinson Crusoe immediately began making assumptions about those characteristics which he could not see. These assumptions led to stereotypes that became key components in the construction of the other, the native. After Crusoe kills Friday's attackers, he describes how Friday came up to him and put his head under Robinson's foot: "When he espied me, he came running, and laid himself on the ground again, with all the possible signs of a humble, thankful disposition, making many antic gestures to show it. At last he lays his head flat upon the ground, close to my foot, and sets my other foot upon his head, as he had done before, and after this, made all the signs to me of subjection, servitude, and submission possible, to let me know how much he would serve me as long as he lived. In a little time I began to speak to him, and teach him to speak to me; and first, made him know his name should be Friday, which was the day I saved his life. I likewise taught him to say, 'Master,' and then let him know that was to be my name." “
This could have been a sign of gratitude, fear, awe, or one of many other emotions, but Crusoe automatically assumed that "this it seems was in token of swearing to be my slave forever". Also, when he first saw him, he watched him as a potential laborer which tells that the native was stereotypically subservient. In order for slave owners to be able to sleep with a clear conscience, they had to constantly tell themselves that non-Europeans were natural slaves. Throughout the rest of the novel, Friday continues to act in the manner of the stereotypical happy slave. The colonial author uses this subservience to dehumanize the native.
By calling the Indian 'Friday' Crusoe negates his former name, the meaning of his former culture and its significance. With the past, the cultural world of Friday wiped out, he is reduced to his role as Crusoe's servant. Crusoe regrets it later in the novel making friendship with him. “In his dealings with Friday, there is a strong strain of superiority and condescension on behalf of Crusoe, one that is fueled by imperialism and ethnocentrism. Crusoe retains the innate sense of racial and genetic superiority typical of an Englishman of his era, place, and class.“
By calling the Indian 'Friday' Crusoe negates his former name, the meaning of his former culture and its significance. With the past, the cultural world of Friday wiped out, he is reduced to his role as Crusoe's servant. Crusoe regrets it later in the novel making friendship with him. “In his dealings with Friday, there is a strong strain of superiority and condescension on behalf of Crusoe, one that is fueled by imperialism and ethnocentrism. Crusoe retains the innate sense of racial and genetic superiority typical of an Englishman of his era, place, and class.“
Crusoe is a man who builds a physical and moral replica of the world he had left behind and he wants to be a king of that world. He imitates the nobility trying to make himself a man who possesses the place and has a manner. “His superiority over Friday is evident, even though Crusoe informs us of his own insignificant station in European society, "mine was the middle State, or what might be called the upper Station of Low Life" (Defoe, p. 4).“The first thing which he did after giving Friday his name and placing him as a slave was to give Friday clothes- westernizing him. Crusoe imposes his own culture over Fridays who turned out to be able and willing to receive it, Crusoe teaches him his language and gives him a new identity and faith while he doesn’t want to know anything about his culture.“ Both Friday's lack and acquisition of speech in the novels is very important. In Robinson Crusoe Friday is described as a very fast learner and a good student (213.) His character is used as a vehicle for important discussions and information on religious and moral issues; which adds a different type of narration to the novel. Within Robinson Crusoe Friday not only learns English but can discuss theological ideas and theories.“ In colonial and post-colonial literature, all characters, both European and non-European, are given the ability to learn the language and customs of the other. Robinson taught Friday "English so well that he could answer… almost any questions" (216). After just a couple of weeks, the native had learned enough English to hold a conversation.
Defoe, a typical colonial author, never doubted the intellect of the natives. Their inadequacies in English (and even in religion and morality) were explained as the symptoms of being isolated from Europe. Through quick, intense training, the native could be educated enough to be useful to the European. In the same novel, European men learned the language of the natives after being stranded on a different island under a different scenario. Robinson used Friday as an interpreter for the rescued Spaniard "for the Spaniard spoke the language of the savages pretty well" (241). The Spaniard's use of the native's language and the native's comprehension of English was good enough that it was easier to communicate through two languages than to try to speak directly between Spanish and the closely related English language. This example shows how both the native and the Europeans were able to learn the language of the other, when their situation required them to do so. Within the texts speech and communication represents the action of civilization and socialization.
Through the teaching of speech, in Defoe's novel, Friday is also taught the importance of religion and is made to think of his old way of living as inferior to the Christian way. To such an extent that when asked if he would return to his cannibalism, if he were to return to his home land, he replies that he would not and would in fact try to teach his countrymen the Christian way (page 226).
Defoe, a typical colonial author, never doubted the intellect of the natives. Their inadequacies in English (and even in religion and morality) were explained as the symptoms of being isolated from Europe. Through quick, intense training, the native could be educated enough to be useful to the European. In the same novel, European men learned the language of the natives after being stranded on a different island under a different scenario. Robinson used Friday as an interpreter for the rescued Spaniard "for the Spaniard spoke the language of the savages pretty well" (241). The Spaniard's use of the native's language and the native's comprehension of English was good enough that it was easier to communicate through two languages than to try to speak directly between Spanish and the closely related English language. This example shows how both the native and the Europeans were able to learn the language of the other, when their situation required them to do so. Within the texts speech and communication represents the action of civilization and socialization.
Through the teaching of speech, in Defoe's novel, Friday is also taught the importance of religion and is made to think of his old way of living as inferior to the Christian way. To such an extent that when asked if he would return to his cannibalism, if he were to return to his home land, he replies that he would not and would in fact try to teach his countrymen the Christian way (page 226).
Friday is portrayed as an intelligent, deep thinker. He learns language quickly and in depth, so much so that he enters in to discussions involving subjects far removed from his situation. In his discussions with Crusoe he comes out with arguments that are thought provoking and intelligent. He calls in to question many things that Crusoe has taken for granted in terms of religion for example the relationship between the devil and God (220.). It is not only in intellect that he is seen to as good if not better than Crusoe; in battle and fighting Friday excels himself, much to Crusoe's surprise.
What Defoe was writing in the 16th century, was higly contraversial to audience because natives were seen at that time only as slaves without intellect and reason.
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