How do we organize our world? Robinson Crusoe is a novel that is very interested in hierarchy and man's place in it. At the top, of course, is God. Next up? Well, Crusoe. He rules all that is under him. His moral authority – and his allegiance to God – gives him dominion over other people, places, and things. Xury and Friday, for example, or the animals of the island. For more on Crusoe's hierarchy, check out "Character Clues."
Questions About Rules and Order
- What rules does Crusoe break by going to sea?
- Who is at the top of the island's hierarchy? Why?
- What rules does Crusoe set up on the island?
- What do the English mutineers symbolize?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Rules and order are necessary for the maintenance of any society.
The order of the world is hierarchical, with Crusoe somewhere near the top.