Castaways: A Feminine Twist
August 2023
JSTOR Daily
Introduction
Ever wondered what would happen if Robinson Crusoe was a girl? Dive into the world of female castaways with What if Robinson Crusoe was a Girl? from JSTOR Daily. This article explores the unique tales of women shipwreck survivors, blending Victorian values with adventurous spirits. From battling pirates to building homes, these stories challenge traditional gender roles and offer a fresh take on the classic shipwreck narrative. Get ready to be whisked away on an empowering journey through history!
READ FULL ARTICLEWhy It Matters
Discover how this topic shapes your world and future
Flipping the Script on Survival Tales
Imagine a world where the stories you've grown up with take a sudden twist—where damsels in distress turn into heroines of their own adventures, battling the elements, wildlife, and societal expectations. The exploration of female protagonists in robinsonades, such as "Leila; or, The Island" and "Robina Crusoe and Her Lonely Island Home," not only challenges traditional gender roles but also sheds light on the broader themes of empire, survival, and the construction of identity in unfamiliar territories. These narratives, emerging against the backdrop of the 19th-century British Empire, offer a fascinating lens through which to examine how concepts of gender and imperialism intertwine. For you, this means diving into stories where girls are not just part of the adventure; they lead it, redefine it, and in doing so, invite us to question our own perceptions of strength, resilience, and independence.
Speak like a Scholar
Robinsonades
A literary genre that includes stories of shipwreck survivors and their adventures, inspired by Daniel Defoe's ""Robinson Crusoe.""
Middle-class values
The attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors considered characteristic of the middle class, often emphasizing hard work, respectability, and the importance of family life.
Imperialism
The policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, use of military force, or other means.
Gender roles
The roles or behaviors learned by a person as appropriate to their gender, determined by the prevailing cultural norms.
Domesticity
The quality or state of being domestic or related to the home, often associated with traditional female roles of housekeeping and child-rearing.
New woman
A feminist ideal that emerged in the late 19th century, advocating for greater independence and equality for women.
Independent Research Ideas
The evolution of female protagonists in adventure literature
Explore how female characters in adventure stories have transformed from background figures to central heroes, and what this says about changing societal attitudes toward gender roles.
Imperialism and its reflections in robinsonades
Investigate how British imperialism is justified and critiqued through the portrayal of native peoples and lands in robinsonades, focusing on the intersection of gender and empire.
The role of domesticity in survival scenarios
Analyze how the skills and values associated with domestic life are portrayed as survival tools in stories of female castaways, and how this challenges or reinforces traditional gender roles.
Cross-cultural comparisons of robinsonades
Compare robinsonades from different cultures, focusing on how gender roles and survival strategies are depicted in relation to the cultural context of the story.
The New Woman in literature and society
Examine how the figure of the New Woman in literature reflected and influenced the real-life aspirations and struggles of women at the turn of the 20th century, using examples from robinsonades and other genres.
