Crusoe, Dafoe, and The Enlightenmento

Do you often say to yourself "Gee, I sure wonder what parallels there are in the text Robinson Crusoe, connecting Dafoe's book to enlightenment ideals?" I know I do. Well, fear not, for the answer to all your quandaries is listed herein. But not so fast--let's start from the beginning. 

First, a brief outline of enlightenment ideals: The enlightenment revolved primarily around rationalism, embodying all of the ideals Locke put forth over a century earlier. This mentality was supported by such upcoming rational ideas/constructs as the scientific method, and the industrial revolution. Overall, the enlightenment desired experience over theory. "But John! How do these enlightenment ideals permeate Dafoe's text?" Don't worry! We're getting there.

These enlightenment ideals permeate Dafoe's text, but not in the preachy, exemplary kind. These ideals are crumpled up, stomped on, and thrown in the trash by Crusoe, in the beginning of the book, as he goes off to sea. Think about it--everything Crusoe does is what the enlightenment doesn't.  What Crusoe does is in no way rational. It is, in fact, quite the opposite. He glorifies theory over experience, and convinces himself to ignore the sage advice of his parents and peers, and sets sail, because goddamnit he thinks it's gonna be awesome. And what happens? He gets enslaved, has the worst time of his life on a boat hit by a catastrophic storm (twice), and ends up on a deserted island full of cannibals, in no particular order. It's pretty clear that Dafoe isn't very fond of Crusoe's irrational state of mind, so as the author, he punishes him for it. Crusoe, you idiot! How dare you leave the lethargically comfortable quicksand of middle class life. What did you think was going to happen? 

But slowly, Crusoe begins to take control of his surroundings--shedding his former folly, he begins to recreate his own society on his little island. He adopts societal tendencies and mentalities. He builds a shelter,  later filled with amenities unprecedented for an island-dweller, and he maintains a calendar, always minding the date and time. Through Friday, his father, and the Spaniard they save, he almost is able to recreate a small society entirely. As the book progresses, Crusoe's mentality changes to that of a societal leader, assuming responsibility for the men that now populate "his island". How far Crusoe has gone from maniacally questioning his origins, to maintaining his very own colony on an island. And this reconnects to another enlightenment ideal--collectivism. The interdependence of every human being, and the truths found therein.

So--there you have it. According to Dafoe, what happens when you disobey enlightenment ideals? You end up on a deserted island, devoid of all humanity save for cannibals. And when you atone for your sins by building a society? You finally get off the island to return to "real" society, and end up wealthy, happy, and well.