This young man is later named Friday by Crusoe because he was rescued on a Friday Companionship and Human Connection One of Friday s primary roles in the novel is to provide Crusoe with companionship Crusoe has been alone on the island for many years which has left him yearning for human interaction Friday's arrival fills this void His arrival offers Crusoe someone to talk to and share his life with I was greatly delighted with my new companion and made it my business to teach him everything that was proper to make him useful handy and helpful Chapter This companionship is crucial for Crusoe s mental and emotional well-being Before Friday Crusoe s only companions were the animals he tamed Cultural Interaction Friday s character introduces the theme of cultural interaction When Crusoe saves him from being killed by other indigenous people he takes Friday in and teaches him English and Western customs I began to speak to him and teach him to speak to me - Chapter This relationship represents a meeting of different cultures Crusoe s efforts to educate Friday and convert him to Christianity reflect the Eurocentric attitude of the time where European culture was often seen as superior Colonial Undertone Robinson Crusoe can be seen as a colonial novel The relationship between Crusoe and Friday can be seen as a reflection of colonialism Crusoe assumes a position of authority over Friday considering himself Friday s master He renames him teaches him his language and imposes his religion on him I Crusoe likewise taught him Friday to say Master and then let him know that was to be my name - Chapter This dynamic mirrors the colonial mindset of the th century where European colonizers imposed their culture and systems of belief on so-called savages However the relationship between Crusoe and Friday is more complex than a simple master-servant dynamic Crusoe grows to respect Friday and relies on him as an essential partner in survival Crusoe s Character Development Friday s arrival triggers significant development in Crusoe s character Crusoe who had been self-reliant and solitary learns to collaborate and share his life with another person after Friday s arrival This shift from isolation to partnership helps Crusoe rediscover aspects of his humanity that had been suppressed by his long years of solitude Loyalty and Friendship Friday s loyalty and friendship are vital to Crusoe s survival and well-being Friday remains devoted to Crusoe assisting him with various tasks and standing by him in times of danger This loyalty creates a deep bond between the two transforming their relationship from one of mere necessity to genuine friendship Their bond exemplifies the novel s exploration of human relationships and the importance of trust and loyalty in overcoming adversities To sum up Friday s significance in Robinson Crusoe goes beyond being a mere companion he is a catalyst for Crusoe s personal growth and a symbol of cultural interactions The relationship between Crusoe and Friday also has a colonial undertone which mirrors the colonial mindset of the th century nbsp