earticle

영어

This study reveals the double functions of the island through its operative interplay of ‘spiritual womb' and ‘gendered others'—the former setting out the religious emblem through which the spiritual progress of the protagonist is achieved, and the latter exposing the instrumentalization of and the violence upon nature (or the gendered others). The biblical metaphor, spiritual womb, projects the meaning of it being the place where a soul is spiritually newborn or delivered and, even though his progress is erratic, the contrast between Crusoe's post-island behavior and his pre-island one proves that the island has enabled the protagonist to develop spiritually. In the novel, woman is literally absent; however, her presence is continually affirmed and reaffirmed through the representations of nature—specifically, through the presence/role of the island. The island and Friday are symbolized as the gendered others/marginality and they expose the cruelty and absurdity of patriarchy/Eurocentricism. The feminine metaphor of the island is, however, a disguise that veils the power of counterattacking the center and overthrowing the male-centered/Euro-centered hegemony.