Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
12th British Literature
Summer Reading Packet
Type of Work
.......Robinson Crusoe is an adventure novel presented as an autobiography by the fictional
character Robinson Crusoe. The novel was published in London on April 25, 1719, by William
Taylor in the Ship at Pater Noster Row. The preface pretends that the account of Crusoe's
adventures is nonfiction, saying, "The Editor believes the thing to be a just History of Fact; neither
is there any Appearance of Fiction in it."
Title Background
.......Robinson Crusoe is the shortened version of the title of Daniel Defoe's novel. The full title
appearing in the 1719 book was The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson
Crusoe, of York, Mariner: Who lived Eight and Twenty Years, all alone in an uninhabited Island
on the Coast of America, near the Mouth of the Great River of Oroonoque; Having been cast on
Shore by Shipwreck, wherein all the Men perished but himself. With An Account how he was at
last as strangely deliver’d by Pyrates.
Settings
.......The time is the second half of the seventeenth century, from 1651 to 1694. The places
include the following:
England: York, Hull, Yarmouth, London, Dover
Africa: Guinea and coastal regions to the south
South America: Brazil and an island off northeast Venezuela, near the mouth of the
Orinoco River
Continental Europe: Lisbon, Portugal; Madrid and other Spanish cities; Toulouse, Paris,
and Calais, France
Style
.......Daniel Defoe writes in the straightforward manner of a chronicler or diarist. In fact, the central
character, Crusoe, keeps a diary. Moreover, he tracks time by carving the days into a post. The
narrator tells his tale sequentially, with one event following another, in simple language that even
children can understand. In telling his tale, the narrator frequently reflects on how he went wrong
and what he must do to set himself right with God. Throughout the novel, Defoe presents not only
specific details but also specific dates, lending an appearance or similarity to truth and or realism
to the novel. Note, for example, the following passage from Chapter VII, "Agricultural
Experience":
From the 14th of August to the 26th, incessant rain, so that I could not stir, and was now
very careful not to be much wet. In this confinement, I began to be straitened for food: but
venturing out twice, I one day killed a goat; and the last day, which was the 26th, found a
very large tortoise, which was a treat to me, and my food was regulated thus: I ate a
bunch of raisins for my breakfast; a piece of the goat's flesh, or of the turtle, for my
dinner, broiled - for, to my great misfortune, I had no vessel to boil or stew anything; and
two or three of the turtle's eggs for my supper.
Robinson Crusoe
Themes
*Read thoroughly the following themes. Highlight any passages or lines that
illustrate or depict these universal ideas.
Importance of Religion and RepentanceThe major theme in the play is that sin has its retribution, but peace can be found through
forgiveness and belief. Crusoe is the prodigal son (like the one presented in the New
Testament of the Bible). He runs away to sea against the wishes of his family. A series of
disasters happen to him as a sailor, as punishment for his rebellious nature. When Crusoe
finally lands in Brazil, he becomes a prosperous planter. Still unsatisfied with his wealth,
he again provokes Providence by becoming a slave trader. As punishment, his ship is
wrecked in a storm, and he alone escapes to an uninhabited island, where Crusoe
undergoes a spiritual regeneration, becoming a Christian and converting Friday to
Christianity as well.
After twenty-eight years on the island, he is finally able to escape. The prodigal son
returns to England and finds himself very rich due to the ongoing success of his Brazilian
plantation. Now, however, Crusoe is mature enough to handle his good fortune in life; he
settles down, marries, and becomes generous with both family and friends. His changed
soul, no longer rebellious, finds peace.
Imperialist dream (colonization)A minor theme of the novel is the glorification of the imperialist dream. Crusoe is the
Englishman who colonizes the island, "civilizes" the native, and protects his colony from
enemies. Almost from the beginning of his stay on the island, Crusoe both consciously
and unconsciously behaves as an agent of the British Empire.
Literary Focus
MOOD
*Highlight any passages that reflect the following moods described.
Remember
mood and tone are two different things. Mood is the feeling the reader experiences.
(Tone is the author’s voice)
When the story begins, the mood is sober, with Crusoe's father's almost prophetic words
of warning. The mood is somber in the ensuing chapters, as disasters fall one after
another on the reckless Crusoe. After his conversion on the island, the spiritual light casts
its influence over the story, and the mood becomes more peaceful. There is, however, an
underlying spirit of adventure throughout the novel, and the later chapters are replete with
violent action.
Autobiography
Daniel Defoe's early life was not easy. He was born about 1660 in London to a
poor, but hard-working butcher who was, in addition, a Dissenter from the
Church of England. Because his father was a Dissenter, Daniel was unable to
attend such traditional and prestigious schools as Oxford and Cambridge;
instead, he had to attend a Dissenting academy, where he studied science and
the humanities, preparing to become a Presbyterian minister. It was not long,
however, before he decided against the ministry. Living for the rest of his life in
the strict confines of a parish seemed stifling. Daniel recognized his independent,
ambitious nature and wanted to be a part of the rapidly growing business world
of London. So, after a short apprenticeship, he decided to set up his own
haberdashery shop in a fashionable section of London.
Not only did Defoe prove that he had a flair for business, but he also tried his
talents in yet another field: politics. England, in 1685, was ruled by James
Stuart, a Catholic, who was strongly anti-Protestant. Defoe was a staunch
believer in religious freedom and, during the next three years, he published
several pamphlets protesting against the king's policies. This in itself was risky,
but Defoe was never a man to be stopped when he felt strongly about an issue.
Shortly thereafter, James Stuart was deposed, and Defoe held several part-time
advisory positions under the new king.
In 1662, the economic boom that had created many rich
men and increased employment suddenly collapsed.
Foreign trade came to a sudden halt when war was
declared with France. Among the many men whose
fortunes disappeared was Daniel Defoe. Then, after several
years of trying to pay off his debts, Defoe suffered another
setback: King William died, and Defoe, still a fierce
Dissenter, found himself persecuted once again. And, after
he published a particularly sharp political satire, he found
himself quartered in Newgate Prison for three months. He
was finally released, but he had yet another ordeal to
endure; he was fastened in a public pillory for three days.
When Defoe returned home, he found a failing business and a family wracked by
poverty. His money gone, his family destitute, and his own health deteriorated, it
is little wonder that Defoe compromised his principles and pledged to support his
foremost adversary, Queen Anne.
Newly sworn to the Tory party, Defoe was soon writing again. Ironically, he
began publishing a newspaper that was used for propaganda purposes by one of
Queen Anne's chief politicians, a man who had been instrumental in Defoe's
imprisonment. But Defoe could not silence his true political feelings and, several
years later, he published several pamphlets and spent several more months in
Newgate Prison. A year later, Defoe was arrested because of another political
writing, but this time he avoided Newgate.
Defoe then tried a new tactic: He began secretly writing for his own party's
journal, while publishing essays for the Tory journal.
In 1719, Defoe finished and published Robinson Crusoe, a long, imaginative
literary masterpiece. It was popular with the public and has never lost its appeal
to adventure and romance. Other novels soon followed, in addition to his
multitude of articles and essays. But debts still plagued Defoe, and he died at
70, hiding in a boarding house, trying to evade a bill collector.
Essential Questions
1. How does loneliness, fear, and isolation affect (and shape) people?
2. How important is friendship, camaraderie, and or companionship? Is this
something all humans need?
3. When do people usually turn to God the most? What situations could invoke one
to turn to God? (To show thanks when they are most happy about an outcome- In
times of need or despair?)
4. Is colonization unethical? Is it acceptable to enforce your values upon another
group of people? Does this embody a superiority complex? Are the recent events
in Iraq (removing Saddam Hussein) a form of colonization?
Robinson Crusoe
Vocabulary
*Highlight the following words when they appear in the novel.
1. Preposterous- Contrary to nature, reason, or sense; absurd; ridiculous
2. Sagacious- Having or showing keen practical sense.
3. Abhorrence- A feeling of extreme repugnance or aversion; utter loathing;
abomination.
4. Discomposure- The state of being discomposed; disorder; agitation; perturbation.
5. Perturbation- The state of being perturbed; mental disquiet, disturbance, or
agitation.
6. Subsequent- Occurring or coming later or after.
7. Contrivance(s)- A plan or scheme.
8. Servitude- Slavery or bondage of any kind.
9. Cargo (noun)10. Dismal (adj)11. Embark (verb)12. Integrity (noun)13. Melancholy (adj)14. Moderation (noun)15. Prospect (noun)16. Reflect (verb)17. Repentance (noun)18. Reproach (verb)19. Salvage (verb)20. Stow (verb)-
Robinson Crusoe
Subsearching Guide

Highlight major events that impacted Crusoe’s journey within his journals. Along
with this, highlight Crusoe's reflection upon his emotions and ideas.

Highlight portions that illustrate any changes in Crusoe towards the end of the
novel. A potential example (but do not limit it to this) can be seen through
Crusoe’s treatment of Xury and Friday. You can include in your highlights the
promises he makes to both men, how he affects their futures, and the amount of
respect he gives each one.

Highlight Crusoe's most remarkable achievements (at least three of them).

Highlight passages or lines that define what you think Defoe is saying about what
is important in a person's life. (Your choices may be different from
accomplishments Crusoe praises) Also briefly comment or notate why you
think they are important.

Daniel Defoe was a very religious man. Highlight passages or lines in his novel
that illustrate Crusoe's changing religious beliefs and attitudes towards God.
Notate an explanation of what you think is the most important scene that
develops this idea.

What statement do you think Defoe is making about materialism (the desire to
acquire money and possessions)? Highlight passages that illustrate this. Also,
highlight passages or lines that illustrate how Crusoe's attitude toward wealth
changes.
***To summarize, there are four tasks that you must complete within the book itself
for a grade. You must highlight each category in a specific color highlighter in
order to distinguish between them. You will turn your book in on the day of the
assessment for the summer reading. It will be graded based on the completion of
the following tasks:




Vocabulary- Yellow
Themes- Blue (also label them 1 or 2)
Literary Focus- Pink
Subsearching Guide- Green