Abstract The unfolding of modernity is both a historical event and a realistic process, as well as a discourse construction process. From the logical and chronological perspective, the desert island narrative can be considered as an initial scene of modernity, which unfolds a whole series of modern topics. It is not only the point of departure for molding the modern Subject, but also the destination of constructing the modern Self. The shipwreck/ castaway event in the desert island narrative is the initial scene of modern significance. An individual abandoned into a desert island is symbolic of the modern Subject itself. At the same time, the desert island narrative also creates the "Other" for the Western world-the aboriginal Americans and slaves from Africa, deprived of their land and their voice. Moreover, in the span of the utopian/anti-utopian space is embodied the pursuit of reason and order, which, however, eventually travels to its opposite and becomes a continuum of such contradictory and ironical elements as affirmation and negation, praise and criticism, belief and skepticism.
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