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Thursday, October 28, 2004
Robinsonian America
The history of the US is a Robinsonian tale. Written in the same era as the birth of America, Robinson
Crusoe and the US follow a similar historical arrow. Both struggled successfully for survival in a new land. And interestingly both succeeded practicing the philosophy of "when in rome do as when at home."
When Crusoe met Friday he made no attemp to treat Friday as an equal. Crusoe taught Friday his language and culture. Friday did not have a name that mattered, so Crusoe gave him a name that anchored Friday into Crusoe's world.
Crusoe dressed Friday in clothes so Friday would know of his sin.
Crusoe without Friday's knowledge gave Friday a lesser sacrament of bread and raisins.
Crusoe made Friday call him master.
Crusoe showed no interest in Friday or his world. Friday was assumed inferior, obviously in need of conversion and conquering. Crusoe went into a foreign land and turned it into a copy of home, giving no thought to the indigenous peopl
es or how they were used.
The US followed a similar pattern at first at home and then abroad.
Manifest destiny must of been the zeitgeist of the times. It was just so interesting to see such strong parallels in two very apparently disconnected subjects.
comment[]
6:52:43 PM
© Copyright 2006 todd hoff.
Last update: 7/11/2006; 1:09:18 PM.
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