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“This was the pleasantest year of all the life I led in this place; Friday began to talk pretty well, and understand the names of almost every thing I had occasion to call for, and of ever place I had to send him to, and talk’d a great deal to me; so that in short I began now to have some use for my tongue again, which indeed I had very little occasion for before.”
This quote of Crusoe’s, taken from the fifteenth chapter, exhibits Friday’s role on the island after Crusoe rescues him. The passage clearly shows not only Friday’s subordination, but also the role he plays from Crusoe’s perspective. To Crusoe, Friday’s usefulness lies in his ability to follow orders and entertain Crusoe. Despite the unfairness of the relationship, which is clear to the reader, Friday either does not see a need to push back against Crusoe’s unwarranted leadership or simply does not perceive the imbalance of power.
“But never was a fight manag’d so hardily, and in such a surprising manner, as that which follow’d between Friday and the bear, which gave us all (thought at first we were surpriz’d and afraid for him) the greatest diversion imaginable.”
In Chapter 20, when Friday faces off against a bear which is threatening the group on an excursion, Crusoe takes note of Friday’s physical ability. This passage makes apparent Friday’s physical aptitude and natural resourcefulness, while also making clear just how important Friday is to Crusoe’s survival. Although Crusoe was able to survive up until meeting Friday, Friday delivers a crucial late-narrative role in Crusoe’s final moments of need. This passage also increases the reader’s understanding of the intensity of Friday’s devotion to Crusoe, as he is willing to face a bear to protect Crusoe. This moment also suggests a quality of fairness within Friday, as he sees his saving of Crusoe from the bear as equal payment for Crusoe’s saving of Friday from the cannibals.
“'But,’ he says again, ‘if God much strong, much might as the Devil, why God no kill the Devil, so make him no more do wicked?’ I was strangely surprised at his question, [...] And at first I could not tell what to say, so I pretended not to hear him...”
In Chapter 20, this passage gives the reader insight into just how different Crusoe is from Friday. Not only do the men come from different countries and speak different languages, but their religious beliefs and outlook on God vastly differ. Friday is not an unintelligent man, and his question about God is a natural curiosity. Yet Crusoe does not treat the question as such. Not only does this quote contrast the two men, but it sets up both Friday’s natural interest in the world around him as well as Crusoe’s choice to ignore his intelligence.
