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ENGH 300: The Genesis of Modern Economy and Culture

Final Exam
Submit to the BlackBoard Course Site by Monday, June 18, 11:59 pm. Save as a MS Word file and
Submit to “Assignment” on BB by the deadline. You will be asked to agree to the running of
SafeSign program.
Maximum Points you can get: 70 + 70 + 160 = 300 points

Section 1: Identification and Explanation (10 points each; 70 points maximum)

FYI, this is the list of the texts that we have read in this
course

● Grimm Brothers, “Brier Rose”

● Thomas More, Utopia
● William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night
● Andrew Marvell “To His Coy Mistress”
● John Locke, The Second Treatise of Government
● Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe
● Mary Shelley, Frankenstein

Please identify each passage with the title & the author(s), and explain the context of the passage,
and analyze/discuss its significance. Be specific in your discussion and analysis.

Your explanation needs to contain 50 – 100 words each.

For Section 1, answer either in red or in blue to make it easy for me to find your answers.

1. How can I move thee? Will no entreaties cause thee to turn a favourable eye upon thy
creature, who implores thy goodness and compassion. Believe me, XXXXX: I was benevolent;
my soul glowed with love and humanity: but am I not alone, miserably alone? You, my
creator, abhor me; what hope can I gather from your fellow-creatures, who owe me nothing?
They spurn and hate me. The desert mountains and dreary glaciers are my refuge.
In this passage of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the creature is talking to Victor and
essentially pleading him to go kill him. In this passage, the creature is pleading and trying to
reason with him that he is his creature and asking him why he would hate him so much.
Victor created the creature and society is afraid of the creature so the creature feels like,
“why me?” He did not ask to be created but he was and despite it not being his choice, he is
alone. In the Romantic period, they believed that a man is born good but then made evil. The
creature wants to be like before, goodness and compassion.

2. . . . but my chief objection was to the basis of their whole system, that is, their communal
living and their moneyless economy. This one thing alone takes away all the nobility,
magnificence, splendor, and majesty which (in the popular view) are the true ornaments and
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glory of any commonwealth. But I saw Raphael was tired with talking, and I was not sure he
could take contradiction in these matters . . .
In this passage coming from Utopia by Thomas More, More is replying to Hythloday
regarding Utopia and communal living. More is questioning and debating that of Utopia and
if it is real. More wants to believe that such a society exists but it unsure at this moment.
More does not believe that a place full of harmony, exact harmony, and a place of communal
idea could be possible in any society.

3. If this fall into thy hand, revolve. In my stars I am above thee, but be not afraid of greatness.
Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ’em.
Thy fates open their hands, let thy blood and spirit embrace them, and to inure thyself to
what thou art like to be, cast thy humble slough, and appear fresh.

In this passage of Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, this is written by Maria, pretending to be
Olivia, writing a letter to Marvolio. In this context and during the time, everyone was born into their
economic place. If you were born wealthy, they you lived as a wealthy person. If you were born poor,
then that’s who you were. You could not change your status depending on your works or education.
In this passage, “Olivia” was saying that some are born great and some can achieve greatness which
means that you can work or educate yourself into a higher social status. This is the idea and notion of
the “self-made man”, which was previously uncommon.

4. He asked me what reasons, more than a mere wandering inclination, I had for leaving my
father’s house and my native country, where I might be well introduced, and had a prospect
of raising my fortunes by application and industry, with a life of ease and pleasure. He told
me it was only men of desperate fortunes on one hand, or of aspiring superior fortunes on
the other, who went abroad upon adventures, to rise by enterprise, and make themselves
famous in undertakings of a nature out of the common road; that these things were all either
too far above me, or too far below me; that mine was the middle state, or what might be
called the upper station of lower life, which he had found, by long experience, was the best
state in the world . . .

In this passage coming from Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, Robinson was talking with his family
about leaving and traveling in the sea. He did not want to stay in the “middle state’ as his father
mentioned, which was just his normal and given life but rather Robinson wanted to make his life
himself by his own means. Additionally, we can think of the parable of the prodigal son; instead of
just staying in what his father thought was best, the son went out and maybe gambled everything
away. This is like a foreshadowing of what will come by going into son- not obeying.

5. ‘What do you mean? What do you demand of your captain? Are you then so easily turned
from your design? Did you not call this a glorious expedition? And wherefore was it glorious?
Not because the way was smooth and placid as a southern sea, but because it was full of
dangers and terror; because, at every new incident, your fortitude was to be called forth, and
your courage exhibited . . . . You were hereafter to be hailed as the benefactors of your
species; your name adored, as belonging to brave men who encountered death for honour
and the benefit of mankind. . . . Oh! Be men, or be more than men. Be steady to your
purposes, and firm as a rock. . . . Return as heroes who have fought and conquered, and who
know not what it is to turn their backs on the foe.
In this passage of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Victor is talking to Walton and the other
crewmembers about their expedition. They are similar; Victor is an explorer of science and Walton is
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an explorer of the physical. Victor encourages the men to keep their expedition going despite all the
dangers they have already had. Victor, though he has experienced so much negatively kept going in
his pursuit of science, the creature, and vengeance. This speech shows that Victor has not changed,
even though it seemed as if he was going too. Even on his “deathbed” he doesn’t give up his
ambition and encourages others even in danger.

6. In another I found about thirty-six pounds value in money, some European coin, some Brazil,
some pieces of eight, some gold, some silver. I smiled to myself at the sight of this money. ‘O
drug!’ said I, aloud, ‘what art thou good for? Thou art not worth to me – no, not the taking
off the ground; one of those knives is worth all this heap. I have no manner of use for thee;
even remain where thou art, and go to the bottom as a creature whose life is not worth
saving.”
In this passage coming from Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, in this passage Robinson is essentially
debating with himself about wealth. He was happy to see money but then scorned at seeing money.
He even refers to money as a drug, something addictive. It is funny because the following sentence
of this paragraph, Robinson actually takes the money. He says the money is not as worthy as the
knife which could be more beneficial for him. This shows the spiritual vs. non-spiritual (good vs evil)
theme in the book.

7. . . . and the country appeared so fresh, so green, so flourishing, everything being in a

constant verdure, or flourish of spring, that it looked like a planted garden. I descended a
little on the side of that delicious valley, surveying it with a secret kind of pleasure (though
mixed with other afflicting thoughts), to think that this was all my own, that I was king and
lord of all this country indefeasibly, and had a right of possession; and, if I could convey it, I
might have it in inheritance, as completely as any lord of manor in England.
In this passage coming from Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, Robinson explores the idea of
property. This island was his, and he put in effort to build it up. Because of his efforts and work, it
became his- he said he was king. He also compared it to having land in possession in England. During
that time, many people still engaged in agriculture to make money so to have a piece of land, was
great and showed social standing. Robinson though it if you put in labor, it is your own possession.

Section 2: Answer the following in 200-400 words each. 35 points each (70 points maximum)

1. Discuss the ways in which the theme of Carpe Diem is deployed in “To His Coy Mistress.” Be
specific in your discussion, and support your discussion by quoting specific words and
phrases from the poem (along with in-text citations of the line numbers)
In “To His Coy Mistress” there is a theme of Carpe Diem which means to “snatch the day” or in
more modern terms, “YOLO (you only live once)”. From the very beginning, this theme is
approached because the poet says “had we but world enough, and time, this coyness, lady, were
no crime” (line 1-2); this means essentially that he would love her for all of eternity if possible.
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The poet then explains this time like spending 100 years looking at her eyes, two hundred for her
chest and thirty thousand to the rest of her body (lines 13-15). If we add if just these years, we
know that we would not live to be, at minimum, 30,300 years old; infinity time is needed.
Therefore, the poet says prior that his “love should grow” (line 11) and they he would not “love
at a lower rate” (line 20). The poet is saying he is going to love with all he says for what she
deserves as an example of Carpe Diem.
Now in the second stanza, the poet is becoming more aware of the pressing and passing time.
For example, he states how they will wither away into ashes (lines 29, 30) so while they still have
youth (33-34), and have love sport/communion (37), and they should enjoy their time (41-42).
The last example is in lines 45 and 46, is how they cannot make the sun stand still but they can
make it run as they enjoy their love and grow. These examples show Carpe Diem because many
times in relationships, people move at a slower rate to know each other and explore sexuality.
The poet, in his undying love for her, wants to do all they can in the time they have since they
only live once and since, eventually, their time will come to be in death.

2. Discuss John Locke’s concept of property. Be specific in your discussion, and cite some
specific words/phrases/short passages from Locke’s book. If you like, you can also use
specific episode from Robinson Crusoe as an example.
(All examples from Chapter 5 Of Property using plain language to make it shorter)
John Locke’s concept of property was challenging that of patriarchalism, which was common
belief in that time. While patriarchalism stated that descendants of Adam had right to
property from God, Locke was set out on showing how all people can have property. He
starts by explaining that of labor; the work of a person’s own hands. He says, “When he
removes it out of the natural state by his hands, it becomes his property” (s. 28). For
example, in Songdo actually before Triple Street was build, if you took a walk to Homeplus,
you saw many random gardens of tomatoes or other vegetables. Someone made that land
their property because they took it out of this natural state to grow the plants for
themselves.
Furthermore, Locke says that the person who picks up the acorns or apples from the woods,
has made it his (s. 28) and no one can deny him that right. Additionally, he doesn’t need to
go around asking his community if he can eat what he picked up because that would be
impractical. He continues by agreeing that God gave the Earth and for punishment of sin,
should have to labor. During that time, there was so much land so there were not any fights
unless they wanted to take advantage of someone else’s labor and efforts. As the times
changed, nations and governments were formed. There came a limitation to land or well, the
measure of property. No man’s land could subdue all, should not entrench upon others (s.
36). He should take “as much as he could make use of”.
Locke argues that money made this concept of property a waste because when money came
into the scene, men began greedy causing them to buy more land, what they do not need,
and it just sits there not being beneficial to anyone. Additionally, he argues that labor in
works adds value; much of what is natural.

Section 3: Essays
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Responding to each prompt, write 600 -1000 words for each question. 80 points each (160 points
maximum)

1.

The “editor” of Robinson Crusoe claims that even though Robinson Crusoe’s story is a “Story of . . .
Private Man’s Adventures in the World,” it is “worth making Publick.” He even claims that by
publishing the story, he does “a great Service” to the world. In what sense is RB’s story considered
“public”? As you respond to this question, you may want to consider the following (but you don’t
need to answer them one by one)

How would you characterize the protagonist of the story, Robinson Crusoe? In what sense is his
experience “representative”? Due to his relentless desire for adventure, restless energy, and his
seemingly nonchalant, unreflective attitude to ethically questionable issues (e.g., slave trade),
Robinson Crusoe is often seen as the prototype of a modern colonialist European. In this reading,
like Faust, he is an ultimate individualist who pursues his desire, ambition, and interests, sometimes
at the cost of others, and often without much regard to the common good of community. Does this
characterization fit into your own reading? As part of this inquiry, you may also consider if the text of
Robinson Crusoe has some critical distance from this character.

This is a very interesting preface to a story because by Defoe essentially starting out with
“The story of a private man’s adventure in this world is making public” causes readers to immediately
question the intention of the author. Is this a true factual story of a person names Robinson Crusoe
or is it possibly based upon the life of the author or of someone else. Regardless, it sets up those to
consider the story with intention. Defoe wrote Robinson Crusoe as a best reflection of the middle
class, or bourgeoisie, in the Enlightenment period. Prior to this work being released, modern
colonialist Europeans were moving away from primarily agriculture as capitalism began to set in at a
rapid pace. Many people were without jobs and the middle class was scrambling to find their new
field. There was the Bourgeois Revolution and then the Enlightenment Period which was going
rampant with intellectuals who were bounded by reason as opposed to emotion or the traditional.
They sought out the hard things to make the better.
Robinson Crusoe, in the beginning, wanted to go outside of his required middle class life in
search of a life for himself- to reason, explore, and grow. He was a representation of many people
during that time. Robinson Crusoe wanted to search discovery as was one of the points of the
real-world Enlightenment Revolution. As Robinson Crusoe went on his adventure, he was
enlightened. Despite his unfortunate situation of being stranded on an island, he pressed on. Instead
of giving into complete despair and giving up on hope, he sought the hard things, he sought reason
and was ultimately successful.
The way Robinson is regarded to the public is of his character that is adventurous,
enlightened, successful, reasonable and true. However, despite him being a role model for modern
colonialist Europeans, he also had a lot of faults. These faults, if not overlooked as often times they
are, could contradict this positive influence of a role model to society. During that time, while
exploration was increasing by nature of economy and curiosity, travel by land was always safe while
by sea was by the unknown and up to the person to decide whether they wanted to endeavor in a
dangerous pursuit. Robinson Crusoe was rebellious towards his father. He can be compared to the
Prodigal Son parable leaving his Father’s home knowing that his father wants him to stay in the
“good” place. In other words, Robinson rebels against the father’s authority and then is punished to
the island. Sometime later, after Robinson Crusoe is enlightened by various means, Friday enters and
though he may be uncivilized by modern terms, he thinks of himself as of equal nature with Crusoe.
However, the relationship terms into a slave/master relationship.
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While Robinson Crusoe believes he has completely ownership of his newly acquired property
due to being stranded, he also believes that in order for civilizations to be established, dominance
needs to be in existence. Prior to this, Robinson Crusoe had a slave and even sold a friend, who
would ultimately likely turn into a slave. Despite his reasoning and enlightenment, he does not think
twice about the legality or even the moral correctness of slavery.
Robinson Crusoe, despite his shortcomings, is still a representation of that period. By his own
means, Robinson took a very negative and unpleasant situation and it turned into something
“beautiful”, from the very bottom, he creates a civilization and is now owner of the property and
subsequently, the governor as well. Robinson has created a new life for himself, using a lot of reason
and self-reflection which was what the Enlightenment period was all about. This was a story that did
a great service to the world; it was inspiring for those in the revolution of enlightenment.
Additionally, this story was a public story. During that time, press was gaining for attention
and preference. Books and newspaper were gaining popularity for not just the elite but for common
people too. Due to this, even those who were never able to read, or rather had the opportunity to
read, began learning how to read. Society from the lower realms began to improve their abilities to
address public matters. This is a “public” representation because even the Robinson Crusoe opted to
take a journal. In this journal, he wrote down just about everything; his thoughts, feelings, and
reasons. He wrote down what his joys and his pains. This was a representation of what was occurring
in real society.

2.

Write a short essay in which you discuss the two protagonists, Robinson Crusoe and Victor
Franeknstein. As you respond to this question, you may want to consider the following questions.
But do not try to answer one by one:

What are the common traits of these protagonists? How do they differ? How does each novel have
a similar and/or different stance towards its protagonist?

Both Robinson Crusoe and Victor Frankenstein hold some interesting similarities and
differences. One of their similarities is that they are both explorers in some aspect and in detail they
are explorers of nature, though a different kind of nature. Victor is an explorer of science (nature of
life); he wants to create and advance things. Robinson, however, is an explorer of nature on the
physical realm. He wants go and explore and make a name for himself. Similarly, whether
scientifically or by exploring and making new lands his, they want to go outside of the boundaries. In
both of their adventure, they are stuck by their own desires and do not listen to the advice of others
or of their inner selves. Robinson does not listen to his father, and Victor, over time, does not listen
to anyone. They are both stuck in their ambition. As their endeavors continue, Victor does the
unthinkable and creates life from dust (natures law is seemingly diminished and Robinson, who is
stranded on an island, makes a home for himself and survives. Both of these protagonists
create/control nature. Victor creates the nature of the creature and Robinson creates that of the
island and property by pushing his boundaries. Victor may have created nature but he becomes
controlled by such nature while Robinson flourishes and prospers.
However, both of these protagonists display their emotions and thoughts differently. Victor is
on the dramatic side saying things like, “I am like the devil”, while Robinson is on the calmer side, he
reasons with himself and questions his reasons. He sits back, or rather writes in his journal, about his
reasoning and virtues. Victor just openly expresses everything inside of him, whether it be light or
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darkness. These emotions that Victor feels and expresses eventually overcome him in a state of
mania and despair. His emotions take control of him and dictate his actions. He does not know how
to change or stop, as we can see even with him encouraging Walton’s team to keep going despite the
danger. Robinson, on the other hand, thinks of both “good” and “evil” sides and weighs them against
each other.
One of the reasons of how they both handle their emotions is due to the time period in
which both of the books were written. When Frankenstein was written, it was acceptable to show
your emotions, letting you feel everything. This period, Romantic period, was very expressive which
shows in all forms of art. As we can see in the case of Robinson Crusoe, Robinson is very cool and
collected, despite weighing two alternatives, and this has to do with the Enlightenment period.
During this period, reason was prioritized and the emotional aspect of things were scaled back.
Both protagonists are also portrayed differently in their respective novels. Victor is ultimately
portrayed as someone insane, a slave to his own ambition, and just overall in a negative light. His
quest for adventure, in science, is not well-received. He quest for pushing the bounds of nature, is
looked upon terribly as he turns into an obsessed person who has started to lose his balance and
possibly, his mind. Robinson, on the other hand, while his defied the words and desire of his father to
stay in “his medium”, he set upon his adventure to make his own life. He crashed, was stuck on an
island, but survived. He was not referenced as crazy but as enlightened through his experience.
However both of these protagonists sinned; Victor by pushing the boundaries of life as God is the
creator, and Robinson as his did not listen to his father, like the prodigal son. While it seemed as if
Robinson was praised for his sin, Victor was not. Robinson sinned but gain his own “property” and
kept his life, while Victor was driven to madness in his sin.