How Architecture Relates to Robinson Crusoe Heart of Darkness and Things Fall Apart Term Paper

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setting for a book is as important, if not more important, than the depiction of characters. A detailed depiction of the architecture in a scene often adds to the credibility of the story. In the books Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, and Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, architecture is used not only as a scene setter but also as a testament to socio-economic values and cultural beliefs.

Robinson Crusoe, Heart of Darkness and Things Fall Apart all deal with so called "primitive" conditions as their subject matter. The stories do not take place in a thriving modern metropolis, but in areas well removed from the western eye. This being the case, much of the architecture described belongs to the indigenous people of the stories or the Caucasians who were forced to act as if they were natives because of the lack of "modern" conveniences.

In Robinson Crusoe the main character finds himself shipwrecked on an island he calls "The Island of Despair." (Chpt 2 p. 1) Once he ascertains that he is going to be responsible for his own survival he begins to fulfill his most basic needs food, clothing, and shelter.." I walk'd about the Shore almost all Day to find out a place to fix my Habitation, greatly concern'd to secure my self from an Attack in the Night, either from wild Beasts or Men. (Chpt2 p. 1) This shows the reader that the primary purpose of the place of shelter is not just a convenience but a fortress as well, directly reflecting the European attitude of the main character.

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The architecture (of the habitat) is described because of the importance placed upon it and the safety it would provide. Defoe describes in detail the measures taken by Crusoe to protect himself. Crusoe creates a wall around his dwelling not unlike a castle, with trapdoors and spikes in front of it as a further barrier. (Chpt 5 p. 7) In fact Crusoe takes to calling his home "The Castle" for the rest of the book. Towards Night I fix'd upon a proper Place under a Rock, and mark'd out a Semi-Circle for my Encampment, which I resolv'd to strengthen with a Work, Wall, or Fortification made of double Piles, lin'd within with Cables, and without with Turf. (Chpt 2 p. 1) The fact that Crusoe feels it necessary to fortify himself against the unknown is a reflection of the culture Crusoe brought with him, that of seventeenth century England and its fortification against invaders. Unable to completely give up his culture, Crusoe also builds western comforts such as tables and chairs to accommodate his more aesthetic needs. (Chpt 2 p. 2) Once Crusoe is joined by a cannibal native named Friday he does little to try and learn about the culture of the man, instead he assimilates him into the life of the Castle, creating a little "tent" for him inside the fortress. (Chpt 6 p. 5) Again this reflects the socio economic values of the writer and Crusoe by mirroring the colonialist "manifest destiny" ideology of the time. The case is the same in Heart of Darkness.

In Heart of Darkness, it is interesting to note that the.....

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