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Essay, 3 pages (700 words)

By was not quite black, but very tawny;

By definition, a savage is an uncivilized person.

Friday would not fit thisdescription because he was civilized. He was a product of the civilization thatsurrounded him where he came from. His appearance, behaviors, and beliefs werethat of all the others in what might be called his tribe. The simple fact thathe had religious beliefs is evidence of him being somewhat civilized.

A savagecan also be thought of as anyone or anything not European. Clearly Friday wasnot European, yet his features were not consistent with what would normally beconsidered savage. He is described as having a very good Countenance, not a fierce and surly Aspect, he had all the Sweetness and Softness ofan European in his Countenance too, His Hair was long and black, notcurld like Wool, The Colour of his Skin was not quite black, butvery tawny; and yet not of an ugly yellow nauseous tawny, as the Brasilians, andVirginians, and other Natives of America are, and his Nose small, notflat like the Negroes, a very good mouth, thin Lips, and his fine Teeth wellset, and white as Ivory (Defoe 205).

When the two characters meet, Fridayapproaches Robinson Crusoe in a very sedate manner, Friday is terrified yet hedoes not lash out at Robinson Crusoe. He does not seem wild, ferocious orbarbaric in any way. He uses sign language at first to communicate, whichindicates knowledge of some sort of primitive language. He is quick to learnRobinson Crusoes language and is eager to learn more while Robinson Crusoestays clear of learning Fridays language. It is apparent that Friday hasreligious or spiritual beliefs right from the beginning. When Robinson Crusoesaves Friday from the savages that brought him to the island to devour him, Friday is extremely grateful and he offers himself as an eternal servant toRobinson Crusoe. At last he lays his Head flat upon the Ground, close to myFoot, and sets my other Foot upon hi shead, as he had done before; after thismade all the Signs to me of Subjection, Servitude, and Submission imaginable, tolet me know, how he would serve me as long as he livd (Defoe 206). After it became evident that Friday was not a threat of any sort, RobinsonCrusoe was grateful for his presence.

Friday would become a valuable asset forthe daily activities of Robinson Crusoes habitation. All that Robinson Crusoehad filled his days with before the arrival of Friday had become easier by thehands of two men rather than one. Fridays ability to work as diligently as hedid is an indication of him being civilized. Along with teaching Friday to speakhis language, Robinson Crusoe also made attempts to retrain his eating habits. Friday was a cannibal like those who had brought him to the island in the firstplace. He enjoyed consuming flesh and Robinson Crusoe made it clear to Fridaythat this was not acceptable behavior. With reference to the savages thatRobinson Crusoe had saved Friday from, making signs to me that we shoulddig them up again, and eat them (Defoe 206). I found Friday had still ahankering Stomach after some of the Flesh, and was still a Cannibal in hisnature I had by some Means let him know, that I would kill him if heofferd it (Defoe 208).

In time Robinson Crusoe teaches Friday to eat themeat of animals rather than hmans. When asked about his religious beliefs, Friday at first does not understand but eventually he tells of an oldBenamuckee, that livd beyond all (Defoe 216). After many questions, Robinson Crusoe took it upon himself to teach religion to his newfound friend. I began to instruct him on the Knowledge of the true God (Defoe 216). Friday was eager to learn. He asked questions that were not always easy toanswer but at the same time he absorbed every word that came out of RobinsonCrusoes mouth. Friday was a faithful and loyal companion. Defoe allowedRobinson Crusoe to remain abandoned on this island for many years before Fridayappeared.

There was a gradual build-up to his arrival and their meeting. Fridays deliverance from certain death was the beginning of RobinsonCrusoes preparation for going back home. He was alone on this island withoutcontact with the outside or civilized world for so long that there needed to esome sort of reorientation to civilization. The appearance of Friday was thefirst stepping stone towards getting reacquainted with other mankind. RobinsonCrusoe needed to regain the ability to trust in those who came to the island inorder for him to find his way back home. English Essays

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