ROBINSON CRUSOE

By Daniel Defoe
This novel Robinson Crusoe is written by Daniel Defoe and its protagonist tells
us about his life as an adventurer making it a sort of autobiographical novel.
Robinson Crusoe the protagonist and narrator of the novel is a young lad of
about eighteen years who dwells in a town named York located in Hull, England.
Robinson was born in a middle class family and his father was a merchant who
belonged to a German origin.
Robinson Crusoe's father persuades him to acquire a law education and
admonishes by saying that a middle class existence was the most ideal thing as
such livelihood was less vulnerable to disasters and adversities.
Restlessness, perseverance, self-reliance and a peculiar desire for adventure are
some of the prominent features that makes up Robinson Crusoe's character and
it was his curiosity for adventure that impels him to go on a sea voyage.
Robinson shares his intentions with his parents but unfortunately his parents
oppose this idea and father warns him of possible consequences ahead.
Robinson Crusoe becomes desperate and to some extent accepts his father's
advice but this hopelessness finally comes to an end when one of Crusoe's friend
embarks for London and when this news comes to him he immediately plans to
avail from this situation. He boards the ship along with his friend and escapes
for London.
Misfortune takes place in the form of harsh weather which hinders Robinson’s
voyage and the ship is forced to land at Yarmouth. When his friend comes to
know about the circumstances under which Robinson left his home he becomes
angry with him and tells him that he should have refrained from making this
journey. After this both friends part and Crusoe starts a solo journey to London
via land.
During his journey Crusoe thinks of retreating back to home but fear of
humiliation prevents him from doing so and that’s why he continues his journey.
He meets a sea captain who proposes Robinson Crusoe to accompany him on an
upcoming merchant voyage.
Robinson sets off with forty pounds worth of trinkets and toys to sell abroad.
After their return to London from this voyage the captain of the ship suddenly
falls ill and dies.
For Robinson Crusoe this journey turns to be a success and he finally manages
to earn a total income of three hundred pounds. From this amount he takes
hundred pounds for himself and keeps the remaining in the possession of the
deceased captain’s widow whom he trusts. After experiencing success from the
last voyage he embarks on another one but this time his ship is pursued and
finally intercepted by Turkish pirates.
Crusoe his crew members and the passengers are enslaved and are brought to
the Moorish port of Sallee. He is kept as a slave and after a period of two years
he finally gets a chance to escape when he is sent on a task of fishing due to his
natural skills. Crusoe leaves for the task accompanied by two Moorish youth
named as Ismael and Xury.
Crusoe takes the boat away and disappears. He throws Ismael overboard and
asks Xury to stay if he is faithful, Xury agrees and both fugitives land on a place
which at first glance seems uninhabited to them. They are found by native black
people who reside at the place. These people act very friendly taking good care
of Crusoe and Xury. Later on both of them find a Portuguese ship whose captain
shows kindness and takes them on board for free. Crusoe leaves Xury with the
ship's captain and heads for Brazil.
The Portuguese captain and the widow in England are Crusoe's financial
guardians. In the new country, Robinson comes to know that plantation is the
best mean for earning wealth. Some of his business partners urge him to be the
master of the trade post and ask him for making a voyage which was for trading
slaves. Although he knows he has enough money, Crusoe decides to make the
journey. A terrible shipwreck occurs and Robinson comes to be the only survivor.
He manages to save himself from drowning and finally reaches the shore of an
island.
Robinson remains on the island for twenty-seven years isolated from other
people. He takes advantage of the damaged ship and makes use of all things
which he can finds. During this time, he recreates his English life, builds home,
necessities, learning how to cook food, raise goats and crops. He is at first very
miserable, but embraces religion to overcome his unhappiness. He is able to
convince himself that he lives a simple and less wicked life than those living in
Europe. He comes to appreciate his command over the entire island.
Robinson builds a boat and tries to explore other parts of the island which he
had not went to. He is again confronted by a disaster but fortunately manages
to save his life. Crusoe does not see signs of human for the next 15 years. He
comes to see a footprint one day, and later observes cannibalistic savages eating
prisoners.
These savages lived in some mainland which was nearby but occasionally came
to the island. Crusoe after getting view of these inhuman acts from the savages
gets outraged and makes a pledge to save the prisoners next time. Some years
later the savages reappear and this time Crusoe manages to scare them with his
gun. He saves one savage and names him Friday.
Friday is extremely grateful and becomes Robinson's devoted servant. He learns
some English and takes on the Christian religion. Then, another ship of savages
arrives with three prisoners. Together Crusoe and Friday are able to rescue two
of them. One is a Spaniard the other is Friday's father. After a few months, they
leave to bring back the rest of the Spaniard's men. A boat of European men
comes ashore.
Robinson comes to know that the captain and his crew were mutinied and he
makes a deal by saying that he will help them as long as they leave the authority
of the island in his hands, and promise to take Friday and himself back to
England.
Together they capture rest of the crew and retake the captain's ship. Friday and
Robinson are taken to England. After arriving back in England Crusoe comes to
know that his plantation business is on its peak and now he is a wealthy man.
After death of his wife he revisits the island one more time.