| Summary: | 碩士 === 輔仁大學 === 英國語文學系 === 90 === This study aims to investigate Robinson Crusoe’s use of multiple intelligences to transform his misery into happiness on the island adventures and to gain rescue at the end. I apply Howard Gardner’s “Multiple Intelligences Theory” (also known as MI theory) as a basis for argument in my thesis.
Chapter One introduces the motivation, objectives, a review of stereotypical concept of human capacities and Howard Gardner’s MI theory. Chapter Two discusses Crusoe’s physical survival on the island. I explore how Crusoe well employs bodily-kinesthetic, naturalistic and spatial intelligences to strive for his necessity as well as security in the midst of a hostile environment.
Besides physical survival, the island is also presented as a stage for Crusoe to seek for his spiritual survival. Chapter Three focuses on Crusoe’s conquest of inner conflicts with a combination of linguistic and intrapersonal intelligences. I argue that these two intelligences play important roles to help Crusoe undergo his religious conversion and to prevent himself from spiritual bankruptcy in his time of isolation.
Chapter Four centers on Crusoe’s freedom from the island. First, I analyze how Crusoe’s interpersonal intelligence works in different moments when he shapes Friday into a helpful assistant. And then, with the use of logical intelligence, Crusoe is able to work with Friday to outwit the mutineers on the English ship and finally brings his confinement to the end.
The fifth chapter concludes with educational meanings, achievements and ambiguous points that exist in Robinson Crusoe’s development of multiple intelligences when he is left alone on the desolate island.
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