Attempt a critical analysis of Walcott’s poem “Crusoe’s Journal,” keeping the aspect of postcolonialism in mind
Derek Walcott’s poem “Crusoe’s Journal” is a powerful reimagining of the classic colonial tale of Robinson Crusoe. In this poem, Walcott takes the well-known story and retells it from a postcolonial perspective, exploring themes such as colonization, identity, power, and language. Walcott, being a Caribbean poet from Saint Lucia, writes about the lasting impact of colonialism on the Caribbean and its people. Through this poem, he critiques the colonial mindset and gives voice to the silenced “other” in colonial literature.
1. Rewriting a Colonial Narrative
The original story of Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe is often seen as a symbol of British imperialism. Crusoe, a white European man, arrives on an island, claims it as his own, and makes the native man Friday his servant. Walcott reimagines this story to show how harmful and one-sided this narrative is. In “Crusoe’s Journal,” he gives deeper attention to the island, the native people, and Crusoe’s own mindset. This act of rewriting is itself a postcolonial strategy—it challenges the way colonial stories have been told.
2. The Theme of Isolation and Guilt
Walcott presents Crusoe as a more reflective and troubled figure. Instead of being a proud colonizer, this Crusoe is isolated and filled with doubt. He is aware that he is a stranger on stolen land. The poem suggests that Crusoe is haunted by guilt and the consequences of his actions. This change in character helps readers see the psychological burden of colonialism. The colonizer is no longer a hero, but a lost and broken man.
3. Voice of the Colonized
Although the poem focuses on Crusoe, Walcott subtly brings out the presence of the colonized people. The silence of Friday in the original story is symbolic of how native voices were erased in colonial literature. Walcott’s Crusoe hears the sounds of the island and feels the pressure of an unseen presence. These sounds represent the voices of the native people, their history, and their suffering. Even though Friday is not physically present in the poem, his absence speaks volumes.
4. Language and Cultural Power
Language plays a key role in the poem. Crusoe struggles with words, showing how language can both create and destroy meaning. In colonial times, European languages were forced on native populations. Walcott, who himself wrote in English while being a Caribbean man, uses this to show how the colonizer’s language can be a tool of control but also of resistance. The poem questions whether true meaning can exist in a language that was used to dominate others.
5. The Landscape as a Living Presence
Walcott describes the island not as empty land ready to be claimed, but as a place full of life, history, and spirit. This is different from the colonial view that treated the land as a blank canvas. In Walcott’s version, the island has a soul and cannot be easily possessed. This shift in perspective shows respect for the land and the cultures that existed before colonization.
6. Symbol of the Caribbean Condition
Crusoe in this poem can also be seen as a symbol of the modern Caribbean person—caught between European heritage and native identity. The poem reflects on what it means to be from a place shaped by colonization. Crusoe’s confusion and sadness reflect the inner conflict faced by many postcolonial individuals. They must find their own voice in a world where their past has been controlled by others.
Conclusion
Walcott’s “Crusoe’s Journal” is a deep and powerful poem that uses a familiar story to explore the wounds of colonialism. By giving Crusoe a new voice, Walcott invites readers to think about power, identity, and justice. The poem reminds us that literature is not just about telling stories—it is also about whose stories are told and how. Through this postcolonial lens, Walcott helps restore balance and gives space to those who were once silenced.