Research Paper Yuni

8/8/2019 Research Paper Yuni

1/34

UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA

EDU 3232

READINGS AND PROJECT WORK

FOR

TEACHING LITERATURE IN ESL CONTEXTS

RESEARCH PAPER

Exploration of streetwise knowledge as the center of human personality in

Great Expectationsby Charles Dickens, The Mill on the Flossby George

Eliot and Robinson Crusoeby Daniel Defoe.

LECTURER: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Malachi Edwin Vethamani

SUPERVISOR: Puan Juridah Md Rashid

PREPARED BY:

Nor Ayuni bt Kamarul Zahan

860911-09-5048


2/34

139786

B.Ed TESL

Thesis Statement:

Exploration of streetwise knowledge as the center of human personality inGreat Expectationsby Charles Dickens, The Mill on the Flossby George

Eliot and Robinson Crusoeby Daniel Defoe.

1.0 Introduction

This paper will discuss the skills that informal education can offer.

Informal education has been around as long as people have grouped

together. It is also well known as the education of daily living. In 19th

century, education has become an important tool for anyone in order to

get a better job and being respected by the society. Plus, 19th century

witnesses the beginning of industrial era and boys are encouraged to

begin their schooling at young age with a hope that it will helps them

become a better person in future. However, formal education alone can

never mould a person into a good personality. Informal education or

streetwise could probably become a better educator compared to formaleducation.

According to Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English,

streetwise is a skill when the person is able to deal with the dangerous

situations and people that are common in some cities and towns. From

this definition, it shows that streetwise or informal education as the

learning that goes on in daily life. For example, we may well encourage

others to talk about things that have happened in their lives so that theycan handle their feelings and to think about what to do next. Others may

view informal education as the learning projects that we undertake for

ourselves. For example, one may takes traveling as their hobby. Soon, the

activity can be useful for them to cope with their challenging life.

All in all, informal education is a process of helping the person deal

with their life. Therefore, it can be considered here as well that streetwise

knowledge is the center of human personality.


3/34

2.0 Biography of the authors

2.1 Charles Dickens

DICKENS, CHARLES JOHN HUFFAM (1812-1870) was born on the 7th

February 1812 at a house in the Mild End Terrace, Commercial Road,

Landport (Portsea). The house was opened as a Dickens Museum on 22nd

July 1904. Charles Dickens is generally considered as the greatest writer of

the Victorian period because of his writings on social evils, injustice and

hypocrisy. He had also experienced dramatic ends of education in his

youth oppression, when he was forced to end school in early teens and

work in a factory.

The defining moment of Dickenss life occurred when he was 12

years old. His father, who had difficult time managing money and

constantly in debt, was imprisoned in the Marshalsea debtors prison in

1824. Because of this, Dickens was withdrawn from school and forced to

work in a warehouse that handled blacking, or shoe polish to help

support the family. This experience has profound psychological and

sociological effects on his life. It gave him a firsthand acquaintance with

poverty and made him the most vigorous and influential voice of working

classes in his age.

Dickens was allowed to go back to school after his father was

released from prison. However, at 15 years old, his formal education

ended and he found employment as an office boy at an attorneys, while


4/34

he studied shorthand at night. This is the beginning of his involvement into

the world of writing. In 1829, he became a free-lance reporter at Doctors

Commons Courts, and in 1830 he met and fell in love with Maria Beadnell,

the daughter of a banker. However, his relationship with Maria Beadnell

ended, probably because her parents did not think him as a good suitor for

her. Their different family background and his social class seem to be the

reason for his incompatible match for the family. His relationship with her

is rather similar with Pip and Estellas different social class at the

beginning of the novel Great Expectations.

In 1834, his impecunious father was once again arrested for debt,

and he was forced to help the father. Later in his life, both his parents and

his brothers were frequently after him for money. His point of life at this

stage is written in his work; Great Expectations. His duty for the family

was not more than obligation rather than a sense of concerned towards his

family members. With this experiences, Charles Dickens was left alone

without any father figure in his life; similar to Pip in the novel Great

Expectations

Through his experiences with lack of money in life, it could probably

be the reason why most of his writing revolves around the issue of

morality, money and social class. One of the novels is Great

Expectations(1860-1861); which is a novel that will be discussed in this

research paper. Another writing which owns similar issue with Great

Expectations are Oliver Twist (1837-1839) and Old Curiosity Shop

(1840-1841) which depicts the hard years of the societys struggle to cope

with the industrial era, David Copperfield (1849-1850), where Dickens

used his own personal experiences of work in a factory, Bleak House

(1852-1853) and A Tale of Two Cities(1859), set in the years of French

Revolution.

Interestingly, Dickens had a small collection of books which were

kept is a little room upstairs in his house. Robinson Crusoeis one of the

books, which is one the texts that will be discussed in this research. He

plays at the characters and the story in his collections as one of the ways

to sustain the idea in writing. In other words, there are probabilities that


5/34

Dickens writing styles or issues might be similar to Daniel De Foe (the

author ofRobinson Crusoe) writing style.

After years struggling with his health decreasing condition, Charles

Dickens died at home on June 9, 1870 after suffering a stroke. Contrary to

his wish to be buried in Rochester Cathedral, he was buried in the Poets

Corner of Westminster Abbey. The inscription on his tomb reads;

He was a sympathizer to the poor, the suffering, and the

oppressed; and by his death, one of Englands greatest writers is lost to

the world

The inscription truly reflects his identity as a great writer. Despite his

dark life with his parents, all the hardship he had to bear when he was a

youngster and the rejection for his social class, it pays in the end. As an

author of various intellectual writings, he is still remembered until today.

His unique force in literature not only reflects supreme artistic or

intellectual quality, but almost entirely to his inordinate gift of observation,

his sympathy with the inauspicious group of society and his power over

the emotions.

2.2 George Eliot

GEORGE ELIOT is a pen-name of MARY ANNE EVANS (1819-1880)

She was born on the 22nd November 1819 at South Farm, Arbury. As the

youngest child of Robert Evans and Christiana Pearson Evans, she had four

siblings: Robert, Fanny, Chrissy, and Isaac. Mary Anne shared an

especially close relationship with her brother Isaac and they were

inseparable playmates. However, in 1824, Isaac was sent to school at

Foleshill, and Mary Anne was sent to Miss Latham's boarding school. Her

stage of life at this moment is rather similar to the relationship between

Tom Tulliver and Maggie Tulliver in The Mill on the Floss; a close and

inseparable sibling. Plus, both of their names, Maggie and Mary Anne are

rather similar. Both name starts with M and ends with E. It seems like the

author is already intense to write the novel based on her life experience.

At Miss Lathim's, missing the companionship and comfort of her

brother, Mary Anne first turned to books as a source of amusement. Those


6/34

who knew her found Mary Anne as a serious, sensitive, and introspective

child. She had straight light-brown hair and a plain face. The authors

appearance is quite similar with her imaginary version of self-reflect;

Maggie Tulliver. In the novel, Maggie is described as unattractive and not

a beautiful child. Unlike her friend, Maggie is being categorized as impolite

young girl for her ongoing and outspoken character.

In 1828, after finishing at Miss Latham's, Mary Anne was sent to Mrs.

Wallington's Boarding School at Nuneaton. Upon leaving Miss Wallington's,

Mary Anne attended Miss Franklin's school at Coventry. It was here that

Mary Anne worked to rid herself of her Midland accent and cultivated the

low, well-modulated, musical voice, which impressed everyone who knew

George Eliot in later years. At Miss Franklins school, Mary Anne became

an accomplished pianist, studied French, was admired for her skill at

writing, and read widely. She also wrote poetry and fiction. Compared to

the women at that particular era, Mary Anne seems to be ahead more

accomplished than any other women. Her self-reflect character; Maggie is

quite similar with her real life character. However, it is not education that

merely changes these two characters but their social values and inner

beauty that actually works as the medium of change.

In February of 1839, Mrs. Evans died, and Mary Anne, 19 years old,

left school to take care of her father. In 1841, Mary Anne and her father

moved to a new home at Foleshill. Foleshill was a larger town than Griff,

and Mary Anne suspected that her father had chosen it in order to enlarge

her social circle, and perhaps help her find a husband. However, Mary

Anne felt distanced from those around her and could not stand in the

estimation of her neighbors. Her emotion was torn between the societys

expectation for women and her own belief that she deserve to break free

from the norm.

Mary Annes father died in 1849 when she was 29. Later, she came

into contact with John Chapman. a London publisher and bookseller.

Having read her translation of Strauss, he asked her to write an article for

the Westminster Review. Later, their relationship becomes closer and Mary


7/34

Anne had to move from the house under Chapmans wife, Susannas

demand.

She met George Henry Lewes in October, 1851 and they decided to

live in unmarried relationship. He was the one who introduce her to the

world of novel writing. On 23rd September, 1856, Mary Anne began to

write The Sad Fortunes of the Reverand Amos Barton, which would later

become a part of Scenes of Clerical Life. Despite his avowed confidence

in her, he still had some doubts about her ability to write fiction. Those

doubts were removed when he read Amos Barton. Lewes sends the story

to publisher, claiming it was a work of a (male) friend who wanted to

remain anonymous because there has not been any female writer yet in

that era. The story was published on New Years Day, 1857 less than 2

months after her 37th birthday. Mary Anne then adopted George Eliot as

her nom de plume. She chose the name because George was Mr.Lewess

Christian name, and Eliot was a good mouth-filling, easily pronounced

word

When the truth about her identity was firmly established, the

publisher balked at publishing her new novel, The Mill on the Floss. He

feared that the controversy surrounding her life with Lewes would keep it

from selling. They live a life like a married couple though they were not

even tied up in a marriage. In those years, the society will look down on

those against the cultural norm. But the book was finally published and

despite all the controversial nature of their relationship, the book was a

success.

Through her experiences with different kinds of people and her

desire to break free from the norm, it could probably be the reasons why

most of her writing revolves around the issue of morality, humanity and

power of knowledge. One of the novels is The Mill on the Floss (1860);

which is a novel that will be discussed in this research paper. Another

writing which owns similar issue with The Mill on the Floss are

Middlemarch (1871-1872) which tells the awakening to the many

complications involved in a persons life and how she should live her life,

Silas Marner(1861), which is about a man who has been alone for a long


8/34

time and who has lost his faith in his any man. She even reflects her own

relationship with her aunt; a Methodist preacher through the novel Adam

Bede(1859). The novel demonstrates happiness as a reward of tolerance,

compassion and understanding.

Mary Anne continues her serious works for years. She was then

regarded as the greatest living English novelist. In 1880, after the death

of Lewes, Elliot married John Walter Cross. She died in London on 22nd

December, 1880. Until now, she still gained the extreme respect and

admiration from her peers and fellow novelists.

2.3 Daniel Defoe

DANIEL DEFOE or DANIEL FOE (1660-1731) was born in September

1660 at St. Giles, Cripplegate, London. He is well-known as an English

novelist, pamphleteer, and journalist. He is considered as the founder of

English novel. As one of the best-known writers throughout the world for

having written Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Defoe lived a very interesting life,

or maybe a strange one which made him one of the most important

figures of English Literature. In 1695 he adopted the more aristocratic

sounding Defoe as his surname. He plunged into politics and trade,

traveling extensively in Europe before he starts writing fiction. He studied

at Charles Morton's Academy, London. In the early 1680 Defoe was a

commission merchant in Cornhill but went bankrupt in 1691. In 1684 he

married Mary Tuffley; they had two sons and five daughters.

Defoe jumps into the world of writing on 1700. He earned fame and

royal favor with his satirical poem The True born Englishman (1701). This

poem attacked those who thought England should not have a foreign-born

king. His subsequent publications, including The Reviewnewspaper, were

not so well received by those in positions of power. Defoe managed to

anger the Anglican Church and the Whig Party in turn, and each had him

thrown into prison for a time. In 1702 Defoe wrote his famous pamphlet

The Shortest Way With Dissenters. He mimicked the extreme attitudes of

High Anglican Tories and pretended to argue for the extermination of all

Dissenters. Nobody was amused; but he was arrested and pilloried in May


9/34

1703. While in prison, he wrote a mock ode, "Hymn To The Pillory" (1703).

The poem was sold in the streets and so, he was regarded as an

unscrupulous, diabolical journalist.

Through his experiences with political issue, economic and

government structure, it could probably be the reason why most of his

writing revolves around the issue of morality and made him weary of the

dangers inherent in political commentary. It gives him a broader exposure

towards life from his encounter with various groups of people. Later on, in

April 1719 he turned to fiction, writing Robinson Crusoe, based on the

true account of a shipwrecked mariner. He was one of the first to write

stories about believable characters in realistic situations using simple

prose. He followed the success ofCrusoe with Captain Singleton(1720),

AJournal of the Plague Year(1722), Captain Jack(1722), Moll Flanders

(1722), and Roxana (1724). These novels hold a similar theme with

Robinson Crusoe.

Besides literature works, he even wrote countless essays and

pamphlets on economic theory which were advanced for his time. Indeed,

he would have been a wealthy man if he had taken his own advice. While

his years as a broker endowed him with insight into human nature, his

risky judgment always steered him in debt, deceit and political double-

dealing. Still, in his mind and heart, he undoubtedly saw himself in the role

of solid, middle-class family man. He wrote numerous treaties which

demonstrated that he considered himself as an expert in economic and

family matters. However, his marriage to Mary Tuffley, despite its length

of 47 years cannot be considered as a model of matrimonial paradise. His

unstable fortunes, his extended visits abroad, and his absence for works

lead to a wide barrier between him and the family.

Unlike the 2 previous authors; Charles Dickens and George Elliot,

Daniel Defoes background does not reflect much of the story line in the

novel Robinson Crusoe. The character in the novel is not only a good

trader, but an excellent practitioner of voyage trading as well. However,

Defoes family background and Robinson Crusoe was a little similar

because both of them seem to care less about their family and focus more


10/34

on their own life. It seems like their personal desire is much more

important than spending the time with their family.

Even though the novel seems to suggest positive value and

encouraging ending, the writer however did not reflect much of the

positive side of the character. Both the story line and his life seem to imply

an irony statement. It suggests the idea that Robinson Crusoes

experience might be Defoes dream of his life. Defoe faced bankruptcy in

1692. After another arrest in 1715, he spent his time covertly editing other

newspapers as he worked on the novel Robinson Crusoe and Moll

Flanders. He died on 1731 in Ropemakers Alley, Moorfields, poor and

fighting for the debt.

3.0 Synopsis of the novels

This section will discuss the storyline of the three novels; Great

Expectations by Charles Dickens, The Mill on the Floss by George Elliot and

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe. The main characters experiences will

lead them to a better person compared to formal education that they had

received before. Through the novel, the readers will be able to see that

their experiences have brought a great impact towards their personality.

Even though all of the characters receive formal education during their

young age, but the education has done a great harm on some of the

characters. On the other hand, streetwise education seems to be the one

that helps them to take control of their life and makes them become more

respectable by the society.

3.1 Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

This novel was published on 1860. Similar to the year when The Mill

on the Floss was first published. The story revolves around the main

character; Pip (Philip Pirrip). Pip, who is a young orphan lives with his sister

and her husband in the marshes of Kent. As a child, he had an encounter

with an escaped convict who springs up from behind a tombstone. He

orders him to bring him food and a file for his leg irons. Pip obeys, but the


11/34

fearsome convict is soon captured. However, the convict protects Pip by

claims that he stole the items all by himself.

One day, Pip is taken by his Uncle Pumblechook to play at Satis

House. During his visits he meets a beautiful young girl named Estella,

who treats him coldly. Pip however, falls in love with her and dreams of

becoming a wealthy gentleman so that he might be worthy for her. He

even hopes that Miss Havisham intends to make him a gentleman and

marry him to Estella. But his hopes are dashed when after months of

regular visits to Satis House, she tells him that she will fill out the papers

necessary for him to be a common laborer in her familys business.

With Miss havishams guidance, Pip is apprenticed to his brother in

law; Joe, who is the village blacksmith. Pip works in the forge unhappily,

struggling to be better in education. One day, a lawyer named Jaggers

appears with strange news that a secret benefactor has given Pip a large

fortune. Therefore, he must come to London immediately to begin his

education as a gentleman. He happily assumes that his previous hope has

come true, that Miss Havisham is his secret benefactor and the old woman

intends to marry Estella to him.

In London, Pip befriends a young gentleman named Herbert Pocket

and Jaggerss law clerk, Wemmick. Thinking that he has become parts of

the middle class group, he begins to deny Joes existence and went after

Estella. Education however, brings him more trouble for he has to run on

debts in order to maintain his wealthy lifestyle. Several years past, until a

familiar figure barges into Pips room one night. The convict, Magwitch,

stuns Pip by announcing that he is the source of Pips fortune. He tells Pip

that he was so moved by Pips boyhood kindness. Therefore, he dedicated

his life to make Pip a gentleman.

Pip is appalled, but he feels morally bound to help Magwitch escape

from London as the convict is pursued by the police and his former partner

in crime, Compeyson. A complicated mystery begins to fall into place

when Pip discovers that Compeyson is the man who has abandoned Miss

Havisham at the altar and Estella is Magwitchs daughter. Miss Havisham


12/34

has raised her to break mens hearts, as revenge of all men. Pip was

merely a boy for the young Estella to practice on.

As the weeks pass, Pip begins to see the good side of Magwitch and

begins to care for him deeply. Before Magwitchs escape attempt, Estella

marries a gentleman named Bentley Drummle. Pip makes a visit to Satis

House, where Miss Havisham begs for his forgiveness for the way she has

treated him in the past. Pip forgives her. Finally, the time comes for Pip

and Herbert to help Magwitch escape from London. They try to sneak

Magwitch down the river on a rowboat, but they are discovered by the

police. Compeyson is the one who gives the information to the police. Both

convicts fight in the river and Compeyson is drowned. As a result,

Magwitch is sentenced to death and Pip loses his fortune.

The author wrote different ending for this novel. The original ending

does not suggest any reconcile between Pip and Estella. The author,

Dickens plans to ends the novel like this;

After the death of Magwitch, Herbert decided to go abroad for his

business and Pip plans to follow Herbert. However, he changes his mind

because he becomes too ill because of the fever. Knowing about Pips

condition, Joe comes to help him. Then, he leaves Pip again and returns to

the village. Realizing the mistakes that he had done and thinking that

Biddy was once in love with him, he rushes back home; intends to marry

Biddy. But it was too late for she is already married to Joe. So, Pip goes

abroad to Herbert, who is happily married to Clara and Pip becomes his

clerk.

The author then, plans on different endings starting from this point.

The first ending is a typical situation of an unexpected meeting in the

street after years of separation between Pip and Estella. Estela is in the

carriage, accompanied by the servant and there is a strange feeling

between the two them. Another ending is quite similar to the revised

version where Estella is treated cruelly by her husband, Drummle. After

the death of her husband, Estella is married to a doctor. And she meets

Pip who is bought to him by her husband.


13/34

The revised version, which is the ending of the book used for this

research paper ends in different way. In this ending, Pip and Estella meet

again in the ruined garden at Satis House, but the possibility of them

being together or even married, is left open, contrast to the original

version. Drummle, her husband treats her badly, but he is now dead. Pip

finds that Estellas coldness and cruelty have been replaced by a sad

kindness. They leave the garden hand in hand and Pip believes that they

will never part again.

3.2 The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot

This novel was published on 1860. Similar to the year when Great

Expectationswas first published. The novel is based partially on Eliots

own experiences with her family and her brother Isaac, who was three

years older than Eliot. Eliot's father, like Mr. Tulliver in the novel, was a

businessman who had married a woman from a higher social class, whose

sisters were rich and self-satisfied, similar to the character models for the

aunts in the novel. By the time Eliot published The Mill on the Floss, she

had gained a notoriety as an "immoral woman" because she was living

with the writer George Henry Lewes, who was married, though separated

from his wife. The society disapproved their relationship and makes the

publishing almost impossible but when it was published, the book received

remarkably supportive by the readers.

The story revolves around Maggie. Maggie Tulliver is the impetuous,

clever younger daughter of the Tullivers of Dorlcote Mill in St. Oggs.Maggie frustrates her mother with her unconventional dark skin color and

unnatural activeness and intelligence. Compared to other young girls, her

character and physical is quite different and she is considered as

unattractive young girl. Maggies greatest happiness is her brothers

affection, Tom Tulliver. His disapproval and cruel comments towards her

always creates dramatic despair in Maggie. Though Tom is less intelligent

compared to Maggie, Mr Tulliver decides to pay an additional education for

Tom rather than to have him take over the mill. In late 19th Century,


14/34

schooling education requires a large amount of money and it is given

priority to men.

Mr. Stelling, who is a clergyman, takes Tom on as a student, and

Maggie visits him at school several times. On one of these visits, she

befriends with another Mr Stellings student, the sensitive, crippled Philip

Wakem. He is the son of her fathers enemy, Lawyer Wakem. Soon,

Maggie is sent to school with her cousin, Lucy but at 13 years old, she is

called home when her father finally loses his extended lawsuit to Lawyer

Wakem over the use of the river Floss. Mr Tulliver is rendered bankrupt

and ill. Tom returns home as well to support the family. The Dodsons,

whom strongly disagree earlier with extending Toms education offer little

help.

At this critical situation, Tom provides as much help he can offer to

the family, with a help from Bob Jakins, a childhood friend of Tom. Years

later, after losing contact with Philip Wakem, Maggie reencounters Philip

Wakem on one of her walks in the woods. Philip and Maggie meet secretly

for a year, since Maggie's father would be hurt by their friendship as hehas sworn to hold Lawyer Wakem as his life-long enemy. Philip finally

confesses to Maggie that he loves her, and Maggie, at first surprised, says

she loves him back. Soon,Tom discovers their meetings, cruelly upbraids

Philip, and makes Maggie swear not to see Philip again. On a business

venture with Bob Jakin, Tom has amassed enough money to pay off Mr.

Tulliver's debts. On the way home from the official repayment of the

debts, Mr. Tulliver meets Lawyer Wakem and attacks him, but Mr. Tulliverfalls ill himself and dies the next day.

Several years later, Maggie who is now a tall, striking woman

becomes a teacher in another village. She returns to St Oggs to visit her

cousin, Lucy who has taken care of Mrs Tulliver. Lucy has a handsome and

rich suitor named Stephen Guest, and they are friends with Philip Wakem.

As Lucy mentions the name again, she longs to see Philip again. Therefore,

she asks Tom for permission to see Philip and Tom grudgingly gives her.

Maggie and Philip renew their close relationship, and Maggie starts to


15/34

consider marriage to Philip, if only his father approved. Lucy realizes that

Tom wishes to purchase back Dorlcote Mill, and she asks Philip to speak to

his father, Lawyer Wakem. Philip speaks to his father about selling the mill

and about his love for Maggie, and Lawyer Wakem is eventually

responsive to both propositions.

Meanwhile, Stephen and Maggie have become helplessly attracted

to each other, against their expectations and wishes. Maggie plans to take

another teaching post away from St Oggs soon so that their attraction will

be meaningless. On the other hand, Stephen pursues her and Philip

quickly becomes aware of the situation. Feeling ill and jealous, Philip

cancels a boat ride with Maggie. Lucy on the other hand decides to send

Stephen. It leaves both of them alone with each other. Stephen rows

Maggie pat their planned meeting point with Lucy and begs her to marry

him. Maggie gives no answer towards his proposal. They sleep over on the

boat deck and when they reach Mudport, she holds firm in her decision to

part with Stephen and return to St Oggs.

On her return to St Oggs, she is treated in town as a fallen woman

and a social outcast. Despite public knowledge about Stephes letter,

which acknowledges all the blame upon himself, Maggie had to continue

carrying all the burden and pain. Maggie is befriended only with the Jakins

and the clergyman Dr Kenn. Lucy, who has been prostate with grief,

becomes well again and secretly visits Maggie to show her forgiveness.

Philip as well, sends a letter of forgiveness and faithfulness. Stephen sends

Maggie a letter renewing his pleas for her hand in marriage and protesting

the pain she has caused him. However, Maggie vows to bear the burden

she has caused others and must endure herself until death. Still, she

wonders on how long this trial and her life will be.

At this moment, when she is too preoccupied with the thought about

her life and death, water begins to rush under the Jakins door from the

nearby river Floss. Maggie wakes the Jakins and takes one of their boats,

rowing down the river in a feat of miraculous strength towards Darlcote

Mill, worrying about Tom and her mother. Maggie rescues Tom, who is

trapped in the house and they row down the river towards Lucy. But


16/34

before they can reach Lucys house, the boat is capsized by debris in the

river. Both drown in each others arms. Years go by and Philip, Stephen

and Lucy visit the grave.

3.3 Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

This novel was published on 1719. The novel is about a mans life

named Robinson Crusoe and his adventure around the world. Robinson

Crusoe, who is a young and impulsive wanderer, has defied his parents

and decided to travel to the sea. Soon, he is involved in a series of violent

storms and is warned by the captain that he should not be a seafaring

man. Ashamed to go home, Crusoe boards another ship and returns from a

successful trip to Africa. He decides on taking off again but he is taken

prisoner in Sallee. One day, his captors sent Crusoe out to fish, and he

used this chance to escaped, along with a slave. He is rescued by a

Portuguese ship and begins a new adventure. He lands in Brazil. Hoping to

increase his wealth by buying slaves, he aligned himself with other

planters and undertook a trip to Africa in order to bring back a shipload of

slaves. One night, due to the storm, Crusoe and the others are

shipwrecked. He is thrown upon the shore alone as the only survivor.

Alone on the island, Crusoe makes immediate plans for food, and

then shelter, to protect him from wild animals. He brings as many things

as possible from the wrecked ship. He begins to develop talents that he

had never used in order to provide himself with necessities. Cut off from

the company of men, he begins to communicate with God, which he has

abandoned before. In order to entertain himself, he writes a journal about

the tasks that he has done everyday. As time pass, Crusoe becomes a

skilled craftsman. He also learns about farming, as a result of some seeds

which he brings along with him. He explores his island and discovers

another part of the island which is richer and more fertile, and built a

summer home there.

One of the first tasks is to build a canoe to escape from the island.

But the canoe is too heavy to get into the water. Then, he builds a small

boat and travel around the island. After spending about 15 years on the


17/34

island, he finds a mans naked footprint and it worries him. He considers

many possibilities for the footprint and starts to take extra precautions

against a possible intruder. Later, he is horrified to find human bones

scattered about the shore, evidently the remains of a savage feast. He is

plagued again with new fears. Then, he starts to explore the nature of

cannibalism. He becomes cautious for several years, but he encountered

nothing more to alarm him. Sometime later, a group of cannibals lands on

the island and a victim is escape. Crusoe saved his life and named him

Friday and taught him English.

Friday becomes Crusoes devoted slave. They plan to leave the

island and built another boat. However, their voyage is postponed due to

the return of the savages. This time it is necessary for him to attack the

cannibals in order to save 2 prisoners. One of them is a white man, a

Spaniard and the other is Fridayss father. Four of them plan a voyage to

the mainland to rescue 16 compatriots of the Spaniard. However, they

build up their food supply first to assure enough food for the extra people.

Crusoe and Friday agree to wait on the island while the Spaniard and

Fridays father bring back the other men.

A week later, they spy on a ship but quickly learn that there has

been a mutiny on board. By devious means, Crusoe and Friday rescues the

captain and the 2 other men. The grateful captain gave Crusoe many gifts

and took him and Friday back to England. Some of the rebel crewmen are

left marooned on the island. Crusoe returns to England and finds that in

his absence, he has become a wealthy man. After going to Lisbon to

handle some of his affairs, he begins and overland journey back to

England. Crusoe sells his plantation in Brazil for a good price, married and

have 3 children. Finally, he is persuaded to go on another voyage and

visits his old island. He promises that there will be other adventures in his

later account.


18/34

4.0 Analysis

Streetwise can serve variety of functions. It is not merely survival

skills but it can even serve experiences and knowledge of the world. Plus,

it can even offer entertainment, information, and helps us deal with

personal or social values. We tend to think of learning principally in a

tutorial or didactic sense. Actually, most learning takes place in a more

informal manner. Not all the learning that does take place is of the formal

task accomplishment variety (F.Borgatta, 1973) The idea given by F.

Borgatta about the process of learning which is not merely focusing on the

sense of achievement through formal education shows that informal

education which is streetwise or experiences can be reliable as well for

molding a human personality. In this research, there are five ways that

informal education can offer for shaping the center of human personality.

In these three novels, streetwise seems to be the one that forming the

characters into a more respectable person.


19/34

First of all, streetwise seems to be the best educator to

teach about real life experiences which is much more meaningful

and reliable since the person conclude its understanding based on

his or her own experiences. Plus, since real life experience is a long

journey of education, then there is definitely no expires date for the

knowledge gained. It means that, as long as the person continues

breathing, the person will definitely keep learning and experiencing new

knowledge.

In the novel Great Expectations, based on his own experience, Pip

learns that greediness brings nothing but failure and disappointment in

life. After a long struggle to cope with the middle class society, he finally

realizes that all he has been through is just pretending to be what he is

not. In order to suit himself with the society, he has to carry on debts and

interacting with those within the middle class; thinking that he could be

part of them. However, he finally realizes that he can never be part of

them because there are too many sacrifices he has to give in just for the

sake of getting into the group of people.

In The Mill on the Floss Tom learns that despite all his lesson in

school, it is not enough yet for it teaches him nothing but the knowledge

which he cannot even apply it when he need to cope with business matter.

Id rather not have any employment of that sort, uncle. I dont like

Latin and those things. I dont know what I could do with them unless I

went as usher in a school, and I dont know them well enough for that;

besides, I would as soon carry a pair of panniers. I dont want to be that

sort of person. I should like to enter into some business where I can get on

a manly business where I should have to look after things and get credit

for what I did. (The Mill on the Floss, Book 3, page 232)

These lines show that all the knowledge that he gained in school

before does not help him much when he needs to help his father solve the

bankruptcy problems. Instead, it is through streetwise that he finally

manages to settle the problem. It is actually experiences and

communication skills that help him in the end, solving the business

problems.


20/34


21/34

lessons; no matter how difficult their life is, they must never give up and

takes the challenge as a journey towards success.

Secondly, streetwise helps the characters to see the true

color of other characters in the novel and it makes them value

the gist of relationship with those who are sincere to them. The

word true color in this context refers to the characters personality in this

novel. In other words, informal education helps the person view the other

characters personality in this novel.

For example, in Great Expectations, Pip learns about other

characters true color through his experiences instead of formal

knowledge. Formal education makes him see the beauty of the world but

blinded him when it comes to the relationship and the value of friendship.

Why should a man scrape himself to that extent, before he could

consider himself full dressed? Why should he suppose it necessary to be

purified by suffering for his holiday clothes? Then he fell into such

unaccountable fits of meditation, with his fork midway between his plate

and his mouth; had his eyes attracted in such strange directions; was

afflicted with such remarkable coughs; (Great Expectation, Chapter 27,

page 204-205)

These are all his comments towards Joe Gargery. Thinking that he is

already apart of middle class society, he begins to look down on Joe. Pips

education seems to disperse him from his past. He begins to feels

annoyed at Joes attitude for he thinks that they are now at different level

of society. The education has widened the gap between Joe and him.

However, in the end of the story, Pip manages to see the true color of

each character. However, it was not education that brings him closer to

their identity but it was only through his informal knowledge and deeper

understanding of the characters. For example, when he first encounters

Magwitch as a child, he does not seem to be afraid of him for he views him

as not a harmful person. In his second encounter, as an educated person,

he is afraid of him and worries if the relationship with a criminal would

affect his status as part of the society. Education seems to design him into

a self-conscious person. However, towards the end of the story, through


22/34

experiences of the relationship with Magwitch and as he begins to mix

with various groups of people, he learns to see the differences and the

true identity of each characters.

In The Mill on the Floss, the main character, Maggie Tullivers

experiences has makes her realizes about the others personality. The

most obvious example is her relationship with Philip Wakem. Despite his

unattractive physical, Maggie seems to be the one who falls in love with

him and close to him. She does not seems to care about other peoples

perception about Philip and continues befriend with him. Philip is seen as

Maggies reflection because Maggies character is quite similar to Philip in

a sense that both of them are judged as indifferent by the society.

Because of Maggies dark skin color, and her outspoken character,

her family considers her as ugly and rude girl. Philip on the other hand,

although he is only lack of physical attraction but he is taken as rather

unusual by the society. Taking into consideration that Philip has gone

through similar painful experiences, it could probably be the reason for

Maggie to fall for him. This is probably because Philip seems to reflect

peoples perception towards Maggie.

In the novel Robinson Crusoe, Crusoe is able to understand

peoples character through his long loneliness in the island. Being alone in

an island makes him realizes the importance of having someone to

communicate and share their thoughts together. He believes that living

alone on that island is Gods punishment for him since he refuses to listen

to his fathers advice before. I had lived a dreadful life, perfectly destitute

of the knowledge and fear of God. I had been well instructed by father and

mother; neither had they been wanting to me in their early endeavors to

infuse a religious awe of God into my mind (Robinson Crusoe, Chapter

13, page 131)

Therefore, after his encounter with Friday, he makes use of all the

knowledge he has and teaches him about language, religion and manner

but at the same time, he takes into consideration of Fridays feelings as

well. He does not force him to learn all these but encourages him to do so.

His experience of loneliness seems to be able to make a better and more


23/34


24/34

Magwitch makes Pip realizes that one needs to be brave enough in order

to make any changes in life or make a better life.

In The Mill on the Floss, Maggies close relationship with those she

loves; her mother, Tom, Lucy and Philip has brings her courage to face the

societys segregation. For her, losing the faith from those who are close to

her is more painful than facing the societys segregation. Since she is

always being alone ever since her childhood, she begins to realizes the

importance of these people for her. Therefore, she is willing to take the

risk as long as she can be with them.

Maggie paused too, three yards before him. She felt the hatred in his

face, felt it rushing through her fibres; but she must speak. Tom, she

began faintly, I am come back to you; I am come back home for refuge

to tell you everything (The Mill on the Floss, Book Seven, page 496)

From these few sentences, it shows that Maggie has struggle all her way

long from the river where Stephen takes her to. However, all her hard

work seems meaningless. Tom cannot forgive her and the society blame

her for what they thought she did; elopes with Stephen Guest. Even

though she can be happy with the man she loves; Stephen but she

chooses to come back home, letting the happiness away for the sake

family pride. But, none appreciate her action. Maggie seems to be

courageous enough to make such a brave decision. She seems to have an

unexpected strength because of her relationship with those she loves; her

mother, Tom, Lucy and Philip. It seems that her relationship with these

people has brought her courage to face the societys segregation.

In the novel Robinson Crusoe, streetwise has teaches Crusoe to be

more matured in making wise decision and not easily gives up. After going

through the life in the island alone, he learns to deal with the difficulties of

living alone in an uncivilized island. After a few years, he is finally able to

make himself comfortable on the island although he feels lonely once in a

while.

In a word, the nature and experience of things dictated to me upon

just reflection that all the good things of this world are no farther good to

us than they are for our use; and that whatever we may heap up indeed to


25/34

give others, we enjoy just as much as we can use, and no more (Robinson

Crusoe, Chapter 13, page 129)

Through his experiences on the island, he realizes that he must

never give up and willing to try on something new so that he is able to be

brave and be more confident with himself. Therefore, in the end of the

novel, the author seems to suggest that Crusoe will go on another

adventure for he seems to have the courage that he can survive on

another adventure.

Looking back at the novels, all of the characters finally get their

courage and become a strong person after long painful experiences. The

experience does not hold them back, yet it turns out as their motivation.

All of the three characters gain different courage based on different

experiences. It shows that experiences should be taken as motivation to

provoke a better personality.

For the next effects of informal education, streetwise makes

the person becomes more satisfied with what they have and they

turns out to be a happier character than those who merely

focusing their life on formal education. This does not necessarily

mean that the characters show no desire to improve but being satisfied

with what they have shows a sign of gracious towards their life. It may

seem simple but most people find themselves difficult to be happy for they

always wanting more in life. Plus, the habit of comparing between what

one have with the others make their life ends up more miserable.

In Great Expectations, Joe Gargery seems to be a character whom

practice informal education as his own philosophy. Informal education

makes Joe a better considerate person compared to other characters in

the novel. His simple, yet meaningful life makes him a character that is

important for Pips growing up model. Despite Pips ungracious attitude

towards Joe, Joe still forgive him and accept Pip with all his heart. He does

not holds any grudge towards Pip because he knows that Pip never really

intense to hurt his feelings. Experience teaches him that whenever one

gets too excited, they tend to make mistakes. Through his experiences


26/34

dealing with different kind of people, Joe has long understood Pips

reaction as an accidental mistake.

Pip, said Joe, appearing a little hurried and troubled, there has

been larks. And, dear sir, what have been betwixt us-have been. At night,

when I had gone to bed, Joe came into my room, as he had done through

all my recovery. He asked me if I felt sure that I was as well as in the

morning (Great Expectations, page 430)

In The Mill on the Floss, the character that seems to suit the effects

of streetwise knowledge towards one life is Lucy. She is Maggie and Toms

cousin. She seems to have fewer obstacles in her life. This is probably

because of her simple personality. She always follows the societys

expectation of what a woman should be; kind, beautiful, caring and

talented. Therefore, she never shows any desire to move herself further

for she simply accepts her life the way it is.

However, it does not necessarily mean that she never cares about

anything or has no feelings at all. For example, whenever she find out

about Maggie and Stephens betrayal towards, she falls sick. Her sickness

shows that there are certain things that she cannot accept in her life. But

as she decided to forgive Maggie, it shows that learns to accept what has

happen before and since there no other turning ways, the only thing that

she can do is giving forgiveness. Her willingness to forgive Maggie shows

her satisfaction with her life. It does not necessarily mean that she enjoys

it, but her forgiveness shows that she realizes that people will never stop

making mistakes.

In the novel Robinson Crusoe, Crusoe turns to religious belief when

he is alone on the island. Getting closer to God makes him appreciate his

life better. Since God gives him life and protect him whenever he is alone,

he decided to surrender himself to God.I learned to look more upon the

bright side of my condition and less upon the dark side; and to consider

what I enjoyed rather than what I wanted; and this gave me sometimes

such secret comforts that I cannot express them; (Robinson Crusoe,

Chapter 13, page 130)


27/34

The 2 novels, Great Expectations and The Mill on the Floss reflects

similar sign of satisfaction in a life. Both Joe and Lucy accept others

mistakes and forgive them. It does not mean that they are being defeated,

but they are actually the true winner. Sometimes, forgiveness is the most

precious gift to offer. On the other hand, Robinson Crusoe shows that his

satisfaction comes from his belief towards God. Therefore, satisfaction

from streetwise can be achieved from any forms of experiences. It

depends on the challenge that they have to face in life.

For the last point, streetwise changes the characters

personality in terms of their relationship with the other

characters in the novel. Experiences makes the characters realize how

they have been less sensitive towards other people before. After going

through many ups and down in life, they finally realizes that all these long,

they have been spending too much time on hurting other peoples

feelings.

For the novel Great Expectations, through her own experiences,

Estella finally learns her lesson. In the end of the novel, she becomes a

better character. The author describes her as a more sympathethic

character and less cruel.

The freshness of her beauty was indeed gone, but its indescribable

majesty and its indescribable charm remained. Those attractions in it, I

had seen before; what I have never seen before was the saddened

softened light of the once proud eyes; what I had never felt before, was

the friendly touch of once insensible hands (Great Expectations, Chapter

59, page 441)

It shows that her cruelty has been replaced with a sign of kindness

and perhaps, regret for what she had done to Pip. The eyes shows that

she has witnessed various situations in order to make her a better person.

For these entire lives, she always wants to be among middle class group of

people, but she finally realizes that her desire brings her nothing but

unhappiness and suffering. She finally learns her lesson when her husband

treats her cruelly. She finally learns her lesson that happiness is not in the


28/34

hand of status, but it lies in a heart. For the first time, Pip is able to feel

her kindness which Estella keeps on holding back before.

In The Mill on the Floss, streetwise has changes her outspoken and

rough personality when she was a child. Why dont you sit still, Maggie?

her mother said peevishly. Little gels mustnt come to see me if they

behave in that way, said Aunt Pullet. Why, youre too rough, little miss,

said uncle Pullet (The Mill on the Floss, Book 1, page 92)

The extract shows that the family seems to regard her as a person

who is lack of positive attitude. They keep on commenting on how she

should behave and how she should react to certain situation. All these

comments, though it may sounds rather harsh and cruel for her but it

helps her a lot in future. She refuses to be the black sheep of the family

anymore. Therefore, a long her process of growing, she learns to build a

better personality so that she can get along with the society.

For one instant Stephen could not conceal his astonishment at the

sight of this tall, dark-eyed nymph with her jet-black coronet of hair; the

next, Maggie felt herself for the first time (The Mill on the Floss, Book 6,

page 384) As she grows up, Maggie turns a more attractive person. She

never intends to attract Stephens attention but all she has been doing is

just to be treated fairly by the society. In other words, she learns to

improve her personality just because she wants to cope with the

relationship with the expected society.

Even though the main character in Robinson Crusoe does not

communicate much with people for he has been deserted for quite a long

time on an island, but he is able to learn his lesson in terms of his

relationship with the other characters in the novel. One of the characters

is Friday. Crusoe has always long for a companion after years of

loneliness. As Friday show up, he has decided to teach him as much

knowledge he can offer. However, he never forces him to study. Instead,

he becomes more patient for he teaches him slowly about language and

religious issue to him. He has changes a lot compares to the time before

he starts his adventure. He was a level headed person before.


29/34

if I would ruin myself, there was no help for me; but I might

depend I should never have their consent to it; that for her part she would

not have so much hand in my destruction; and I should have it to say, that

my mother was willing when my father was not (Robinson Crusoe,

Chapter 2, page 11-12)

The extract shows that because of his stubbornness, he makes a

move on this adventure even though the family has never approved with

his decision. However, as he grows older, he realizes the mistakes he has

done. As it was too late to turn back, he decided to change the future and

become a more tolerate person.

Based on these three novels, it shows that streetwise changes the

characters social. Estella and Crusoe become soften towards people

around them. As for Maggie, she learns to adapt herself in the society. All

in all, informal education has been a teacher for them. Though it might

take a long journey for the characters to realize their discontented life, but

they finally make it in the end of the novel.

5.0 Implications

Literature in English has long been implemented because it could

improve students language skills which are reading, writing, speaking and

listening. At the same time, literature can be considered as the source of

knowledge. Carter (1988) considers the information-based approach as a

way of teaching knowledge about literature as literature is seen to offer a

source of information to the students. This approach requires students to

study the historical background, cultural and social issues in the text in


30/34

order for them to understand the message conveys. The novels Great

Expectations, The Mill on the Flossand Robinson Crusoeimplies similar

issues and culture. In these novels, the students will be able to learn about

the living in 19th century. It will even the students to study the

geographical knowledge since the settings are not implies in Malaysia.

Carter and Long (1991) Another justification for the inclusion of

literature in the language classroom is that literature is a product of

culture and contains a compendious store of information through which

learners get insights into the culture, history, traditions and conventions of

the target language Therefore, reading literature texts like Great

Expectations, The Mill on the Flossand Robinson Crusoewill be able to

provide learners with tantalizing glimpses towards a range of cultures. It

will not only broaden their world-view, but more importantly, it will help

learners to compare with their own culture and perhaps, incorporate the

tolerance aspects. Therefore, if the texts could be used in our syllabus,

then the teacher could probably consider teaching the students about its

culture since the cultures are quite different with our Malaysian context.

Malachi Edwin Vethamani (2004) Texts must also be accessible to

students. Teachers should consider using texts which are slightly difficult,

yet it should not be too difficult as this could lead to much frustration for

the student. As applied for Robinson Crusoe, the Ministry of Education

has taken the step to provide abridged text for students in secondary

school. The original text is rather difficult for beginner and intermediate

level of proficiency students. Therefore, as a way to encourage students to

read, the used of abridged text seems to a good method because too

difficult text might discourage students to read. As for Great

Expectationsand The Mill on the Floss, it could probably be consider as

the texts for literature students because despite its lengthy, the language

is not too difficult for intermediate readers.

Plus, learning literature helps the students to deal with their daily life

and practice their reading of literature as one of the ways to solve a

problem or perhaps as their philosophy of life. Ganakumaran

Subramaniam (2007) this theory suggest that students should not be


31/34

subordinate to the literature, but active participants in the reading

process, making personal meaning and significance from the literature

they encounter. The theory refers to personal development model

suggested by Carter and Long. Studying literature encourage students to

provide their own personal response based on their reading of the text.

Different students may come out with different understanding since all

students own different schemata. Therefore, the readers for each novel

might interpret their understanding of the novel based on their previous

knowledge. Some might thinks that they agree with the actions taken by

the characters but there are chances that some may not.

In addition, understanding the novels helps to be a better person in

society. These texts can create awareness among students about other

people who have to work very hard to survive so that they should be more

appreciative towards what they already have. In other words, it teaches

students to value their life and never easily gives up. Through these three

novels, students will be to learn in order to achieve success in life; one

might needs to do a lot of sacrifice before they manage to taste the

beauty of achievement. Plus, the novels suggest the idea that one must

live their life to the fullest in order to become a better person.


32/34

6.0 Conclusion

In conclusion, streetwise knowledge is the center of human personality.

The novels Great Expectationsby Charles Dickens, The Mill on the Floss

by George Eliot and Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe proves these

states through the writers exploration of the characters. Since informal

education is a long process of learning, then person will always learn

about new things as long as they keep on living and never gives up in life.

Therefore, reading these texts will encourage the students to keep on

trying though they might find it difficult to face the circumstances in life.

In other words, reading literary texts will brings the students towards

life appreciation and make their life as meaningful as possible.


33/34

References

Ganakumaran Subramaniam, Teaching of Literature : An Introduction in

Approaches to Teaching Literature: Theory and Practice, Malachi Edwin

Vethamani, 2007,Sasbadi Sdn Bhd

Gurnam Kaur Sidhu, Literature in the Language Classroom: Seeing

Through the Eyes of Learners in, Teaching of Literature in ESL/EFL

Contexts, Malachi Edwin Vethamani, 2003Sasbadi Sdn Bhd

Malachi Edwin Vethamani, 2004, Developments in Teaching of Literature

in English, Universiti Putra Malaysia Press

Ronald Carter and Michael N. Long, 1991, Teaching Literature, Longman

Inc

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English: The Living Dictionary, 2003,

Person Education Limited

Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe, published by the Penguin Group

Charles Dickens, Great Expectations, published by the Penguin Group


34/34

George Eliot, The Mill on the Floss, published by the Penguin Group

Liz Drisscoll (Abridgement) Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, (Literature

in English for Lower Secondary Schools), 2000, Darulfikir Sdn Bhd

Documents

Research Paper Yuni