英语专业毕业论文定稿hj.doc

0. IntroductionDaniel Defoes Robinson Crusoe is regarded as a most famous romantic works. In this novel, Defoe described one mans journey and through his hard working, Robinson finally created the miracle. This is a story of an ordinary man, who is coming from an industrious and well-do family in middle classes. The whole novel is about his isolation from the whole society and his life lonely living in an island. In this novel, through Robinsons first personal narrative, we experience his whole life following him. Finally, after his hardworking and struggling, Robinson achieved his success. Many people long for success. But to succeed is not easy at all. There are many books teaching people how to succeed. But most of them are boring and sermonizing. Compared with such books, Robinson Crusoe is much more pleasing. Daniel Defoe, one of the earliest realists, brought to us a representative of successful man by vividly narrating Robinsons adventure. Robinson Crusoe is a real hero worth of worship, as he didnt succeed by luck and accident but hard work. He almost has everything needed for becoming a successful man, such as great creativity, very excellent working capacity, inexhaustible energy, courage, patience, and persistence in overcoming obstacles. Lets see how these strong points are attached to Robinson Crusoe. In this paper, we will make analysis on humanistic thought in this novel from definition of humanism and impact of humanism and the detailed performance of humanistic thought reflected in this novel: being pursuit of freedom-adventurism, purist of individual liberation-individualism, and importance of human knowledge-education. 1. Daniel Defoe and Robinson Crusoe1.1 Introduction to the Author - Daniel DefoeDaniel Defoe is one of the most famous English novelist, pamphleteer and journalist and his most famous novel is Robinson Crusoe. He is considered as one of the founder of English novel. He is the son of James Foe, who is a butcher of stroke Newington. Although for some reasons he cannot continue his studying in school but he traveled extensively in Europe. In 1702, Defoe wrote his famous pamphlet The Shortest Way with Dissenters, then, he began to write stories about real character in the real world using his simple prose, which is so popular with the readers. Daniel Defoe is often given the credit for the discovery of the modern novel; but whether or not be deserves that honor is an open question. Even a casual reading of Robinson Crusoe (1719), which generally heads the list of modern fiction, shows that this exciting tale is largely an adventure story, rather than the study of human character which Defoe probably intended it to be. Understanding authors life, readers can know his characteristics and mind, and better understand the original. Like Robinson he wrote, Defoe was the representative of the rising Bourgeoisie in England. Defoe also pursued of the freedom and had the individual character. 1.2 Contents of Robinson Crusoe The novel tells a story about Robinson Crusoe. Robinson Crusoe was born in the Year 1632, the City of York, of a middle class family. He was satisfied with nothing but going to sea. So he did not listen to his fathers advice, and left home finally to be the seaman. He was attacked by pirates in the African coast, and forced to be a slave. The living was unendurable there, so he seized the chance to ride a boat to escape. A Portuguese freighter rescued him, and delivered him to Brazil safely. He managed the crop production in Brazil and got rich. When some people suggested him go to the Africa to traffic the black slaves, he submitted once again in his yearning, and went to the Africa by ship. The ship met the storm and struck a reef on the way. On the ship, the sailors and the passengers on the board were killed except Robinson. Robinson was drifted to an island where nobody lived. He transported the food, clothes, the guns and ammunition, the tool and so on to the store time and time again, and put up the tent nearby the hill to settle down. Then he used the wooden stake which sharpened around the tent to enclose the stockade, and dug a hole at the back of the tent for living. He used simple tools to make table, and chair. He hunted for the food, drank the water in the brook, and passed the difficulty time at first. He started to plant the barley and the rice on the island. Next he made the self-made wooden mortar, the wooden pestle, the screen, the processing bread flour, and dried the rough bread. He caught and tamed the wild goat, and let them reproduce. He also made earthenware and others to meet his own needs. Although like this, Robinson had not given up any hope to leave the island. He cut down a big tree and spent 56 months to make a dugout canoe, but the ship was too heavy to go to the sea. His previous effort was in vain. Over a period of time, a group of savages came to the island. The savages killed captures and ate them. Robinson discovered them, and rescued one capture. He was named “Friday” by Robinson. Hereafter, “Friday” became Robinsons faithful servant and friend. Then, Robinson rescued a Spaniard and the father of “Friday” with the help of “Friday”. Soon a British ship anchored nearby the island. Three sailors on the ship planned to abandon captain on the island. Robinson helped captain with “Friday” uniformed that group of sailors, and recaptured the ship. Robinson, “Friday”, captain and their friends left the desert island by keeping those bad sailors on the island. At that time Robinson had left home for 35 years. He married in Britain, and had three children. After his wife had died, Robinson went to sea once again to do the business. He went to the Desert Island where he has lived. By now, kept on the island, the sailors and the Spaniard settled down and had the happiness life. Robinson sent to the new immigration, apportioned them the land on the island, and left their some daily necessities. Finally Robinson left the island satisfied.2. Humanistic Thought 2.1 Definition of Humanism Generally speaking, humanism was a literary and philosophic system of thought which “attempted to place the affairs of mankind at the centre of its concerns. Originating in Italy during the Renaissance, it soon spread throughout most of west Europe “(Yang Haoyong 2000). Humanist thought was based on a new reading of Greek and Roman literature, and an affirmation of the importance of Platonic philosophy, and a reinterpretation of the writing of Aristotle. It took as a major interest the life of man in the present and, unlike medieval philosophy, which postulated a City of God in the hereafter, it attempted to lay the foundations for a life of justice, nobility, and goodness on earth. Humanism was an attitude rather than a philosophy, non-dogmatic and, in the main, non-scientific, taking as its main concern the exploration of human potential for a full and rewarding life. According to humanists, man should mould the world according to his own desires, and attain happiness by removing all external checks by the exercise of the human intellect. Humanism was one of the most important factors giving rise to the Renaissance.（王佩兰，1992：28-29）. The word “humanism” has a number of meanings, and because authors and speakers often dont clarify which meaning they intend, those trying to explain humanism can easily become a source of confusion. Fortunately, each meaning of the word constitutes a different type of humanism. So, let me summarize the different varieties of humanism in this way. It has Literary Humanism, Renaissance Humanism, Cultural Humanism, Philosophical Humanism, Christian Humanism, Modern Humanism, Secular Humanism, and Religious Humanism. In this novel, the humanism means the spirit in Renaissance period and humanism was regarded as a new thing in that time. Renaissance Humanism is the spirit of learning from the advanced experiences of middle class, giving a confidence for the human being to determine for themselves considering what and how to do and how to realize their own values. 2.2 Impact of Humanism Humanism has the widely impact for ethical philosophies and dignity and worth of all human being. Rationality is the basic principle to judge the right and wrong in that time. Humanism entails a commitment to the search for truth and morality through human means in support of human interests. Humanism promotes the self-determination and independence on belief with reason but not the supernatural or texts of divine origin. Humanists advocates that the universal morality should be based on the commonality of human condition, suggesting that solutions for human social and cultural problems. It believed that human being should go to find the truth in the real world and experience it. In addition, it persuades human being should not accept unsupported beliefs blindly and should reject the authoritarianism and extreme skepticism. It also encourages people should pursuit their own happiness through their own hard working and efforts. The human being should act but rather not speaking and watching. In addition, humanism advocates that the best understanding of ones individual and joint interests is the rational thought for human being but not to stem from a transcendental truth or an arbitrarily local source, which is not the truth of humanism. All in all, humanism reflects the requirement of a newly rising bourgeoisie which made the preparation for the bourgeois revolution. From these we can see humanism is the ideological core of Renaissance. It has the significant impact on the development Western thought and literature. In many literatures in the west, humanism is reflected in many aspects through their writing in their novel. These are the social demand and responsibility in that time and writers and authors have given much attention on humanism. 3. Humanistic Thought Reflected in the Robinson Crusoe Humanism opposes the imprisonment under the rule of feudal dictatorship through the humanities, pen and tongue as a weapon in order to praise and promote the great, the dignity, the freedom, the equality and the liberation of personality. Robinson Crusoe was written at the 16th century early time, the novel has reflected the humanistic thought, for example adventurism, individualism and education.3.1 Pursuit of Freedom-Adventurism Adventurism is the willingness to take risks in business or politics (esp. in the context of foreign policy); actions, or attitudes regarded as daring or reckless. People encountered the difficulties in the way to pursuit of freedom. “Life is dear, love is dearer. Both can be given up for freedom.” This poem is writing for freedom, and shows me the value of the freedom. People pursue the freedom, so they dont like something stopping the feet. And they take risks for the world. He (Robinsons father) told me it was for Men of desperate Fortunes on one Hand, or of aspiring, Superior Fortunes on the other, who went abroad upon Adventures, to rise by Enterprise, and make themselves famous in Undertakings of a Nature out of the common Road; that these things were all either too far above me, or too far below me; that mine was the middle State, or what might be called the upper Station of low life, which he had found by long Experience was the best State in the World, the most suited to human Happiness.（王惠君、王惠玲,2001:2）Robinson could live in the most suited to human Happiness life, but he didnt like it. He chose adventure to go to sea. Because Robinson loved the navigation deeply, and dont have “the external reason”. He did not give a thought to parents opposition to travel around the world. The human who can control own destiny. The action of Robinson was an adventure for the freedom. The Slave (Robinson) doesnt have the freedom, so “Here I meditated nothing but my Escape”. After about two years an odd circumstance presented itself this put the old thought of making some attempt for his liberty, again in his Head. He took risks to get a boat and went away from the horrid Place with a boy (Xury).In the end Robinson got the helping and arrived at Brazil. When Robinson has lived almost four years in the Brazil, his plantation was very well upon and his life was easy and comfortable. Then he wanted to buy Negroes. Why did he got away from so prosperous an undertaking, and left all the probable views of a thriving Circumstance, and went upon a Voyage to Sea, attended with all its common Hazards? The answer is “I was hurried on, and obeyed blindly the dictates of my Fancy rather than my Reason”. Because Robinson had the risky nature and it was standing the winning side. 3.2 Pursuit of Individual Liberation-Individualism Individualism is the core of the bourgeois world outlook; the bourgeoisie is the fundamental moral principles. Individualism is a system of private ownership in the consciousness of the people. As a product of private ownership, it is all the exploiting classes of common ethical principles. In a capitalist up period, as opposed to the bourgeoisie and the feudal abstinence, autocratic rule and religious thinking of the powerful weapons, has played a positive role in emancipating the mind, but also have distinct disadvantages of profiting at others expense. Its features are: to see the value of the individual above all else , their personal interests above the special social and public interests ,above the interests of others and to achieve personal ends, even at the expense of damage and social and public interests and the interests of others. The novel has some places to show it. Robinson treated peoples attitudes based entirely on the value of the goods to him. The most obvious example is the boy named Xury. He had experienced untold hardships and risked their lives to help Robinson escape from the hands of his master, but also to do everything possible to take care of him and protect him, it is loyalty to Robinson. Robinson had decided under the excitement, “made me love him ever after”, and promised that wants “to raise him a great person”. However, after Robinson got the helping from the Portuguese captain, how did Robinson do? In the end, when he was a free man, he sold the little boy. He thought the little boy is unimportant to him, and he is the most important for himself. At that time, he doesnt need the little boy, the money is better than the friend. In the first Place, I was removed from all the Wickedness of the World here. I had neither the Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eye, or the Pride of Life. I had nothing to cover; for I had all that I was now capable of enjoying: I was Lord of the whole Mannor; or if I pleased, I might call myself King, or Emperor over the whole Country which I had Possession of .There were no Rivals. I had no Competitor, none to dispute Sovereignty or Command with me. I might have raised Ship loadings of Corn; but I had no use for it; so I let as little grow as I thought enough for my Occasion. （王惠君、王惠玲, 2001:155） In a Word, The Nature and Experience of Things dictated to me upon just Reflection, That all the good Things of this World, are no farther good to us, than they are for our Use; and that whatever we may heap up indeed to give others, we enjoy just as much as we can use, and no more.I had, as I hinted before, a Parcel of Money, as well Gold as silver, about thirty six Pounds Sterling: Alas! There the nasty sorry useless Stuff lay; I had no manner of Business for it.（王惠君、王惠玲, 2001:156） In that quarter, Robinson thought at that time the gold coin were worthless compared with the guns, the rope and food. But Robinson has not let these gold coins true sink to the seabed, but takes them away and stores them, from this matter, we may see that Robinson has a kind of unreality though, a kind of fantasy (to leave isolated island to be able to use gold coin once more). Next, we may see that the humanism has a egotism tendency when treating the natural relations. When Robinson discovered a micro-organism on the shore, although at that time rescued from the ship and the food is not much, he throws some biscuits to it, this has manifested that the humanism is “tolerant” ,but the thought is not Robinsons inner personality. When he discovered that the same animal still wanted to share the food , he could not accept it and gave it no more food. This indicated that Robinsons humanism in treating animals is “tolerant”, which reflected the humanism spirit, but still had the tendency of egotism. Robinson was not only an explorer of humanism, but also he had his own religion. In the work, Robinson thought: “Walking this road or another, when we are choosing, we are guiding by a secret hint.” “No matter when I can find the hint or pressure among these thoughts, to do or not to do, doing this or that, I always follow this secret hint.” From these views, Robinson was an Englishman who believed in God, but he still believed that God helps people who help themselves. God is not everything, but a partner relationship with human beings. Obviously, in the influences of Protestantism, Robinson had some kind of characteristics of rationalist instead of a completely humanist.3.3 Importance of Human Knowledge-Education Christianity plays important role in the west. And education has close relations with religion. After Renaissance, education became one of the important problems of humanism which was the powerful weapon to fight against the Theology. So Robinson is a knowledgeable people. When he helped the “Friday”, Robinson taught him the different kinds of Knowledge. “Friday” was a savage who Robinson rescues. Because “Friday” saw Robinson can use stick shape the thing (gun) to kill people, he thought that Robinson is “God”, and is willing to serve faithfully for him. Robinson taught “Friday”