The Double Standard in Robinson Crusoe While reading the extracts from Robinson Crusoe, I was very affected by the double standard that was evident from our “hero”. This theme of double standards is one that is found in most archaic texts. By way of explanation, whatever action the white European man performs, it is unacceptable behavior, but if another character, such as a woman or a non-European, does the same thing, it becomes unobjectionable . An obvious example is that of Mr. Crusoe whose chosen profession was that of a slave trader turned slave, a condition which was not an attractive lifestyle for him, but suited those who did not fit into his group racial. He formulates an escape for himself, an action that would have infuriated him if a slave had attempted to escape from him while he was in his role as a slave trader. Furthermore, I was astonished, as was Allison, that he threw the Moor overboard and threatened him with death if he did not return to shore, as well as a certain existence in the role of slave. That Crusoe did not offer the Moor the same chance at freedom that he offered himself was unforgivable. Directing my discussion to the excerpt involving Friday, again, the double standard was evident, although it was done in a different variation. In Crusoe, the question of slavery was always present, but also the discourse on the appearance of Friday. He made some pretty vehement remarks about Friday's face and how that face matched or varied with the appearance of other ethnic groups. I found this to be entirely consistent with the precedent set by the writings of early explorers since Columbus. These men would write descriptions of the people they encountered on their travels and make comparisons to everything from beasts to animals to mythical beings. Last semester in my history seminar, my final paper was on the historical context of William Shakespeare's The Tempest, and I found many parallels with the writings of the primary texts I used to those of Defoe