Daniel Defoe's Robinson
Crusoe (1719)
Dr. Ramirez
Robinson Crusoe becomes master
of his domain.
-
He takes advantage of the shipwreck--he
works hard to excavate what he can
-
though motivated by fear, his activities
prevent hardship
-
he takes inventory of the island and
its resources
-
carves out his space--claims
-
draws on principles to create his own
reality; successful application of theory with practice
-
disciplined in not eating the corn,
and in planning for his future. he understands that he has to ration everything
out
-
uses limited experience as a planter
-
inventiveness: mortar and pestle--made
of wood instead of rock
-
forced to grow up as an individual
-
becomes self-reliant: planter,
grinder, hunter, potter
-
perseveres--has time on his side and
necessity
-
domesticates animals and plants
-
divides his day into a routine
-
refuses to undertake a new project
without attending to pressing issues
Trials
Defoe makes RC's trials compelling
and realistic
Psychologically he is a complex
character--fraught with doubt, despair, longing
Mode of delivery: matter of fact;
distancing accomplished by the passage of time
Ambivalence in relationship with
god: what is free will and what is divine justice or intervention?
Humor makes trials more palatable
He finds island life will encroach
upon him if he doesn't check it
Psychological trials--any poor
decisions that he makes are his own fault
Despair versus hope--he is content
and happy with what he has accomplished, but he considers it hypocritical
to say that he doesn't hope to be delivered
The Log
Log begins on September 30, 1659
Dec. Earth falls from cave roof,
"I had never wanted a Grave-Digger"
Jan. Discovery of sprouts (57);
corn kernels grow; only in the 4th year will he be able to eat what he
sows
Use of reason to differentiate
between god's will and reason (58)
earthquake, hurricane
Fear of being drowned compels
RC to create an exit
shipwreck drifts closer to
land 63
The days become further and further
apart, especially after his sickness in June
Dream of man descending from cloud
65
Time for reflection; I was too
hasty in my thanks to god
But god has now meted out justice
66
earnest Prayer 71
Exploration of island; discovery
of savannas and grapes
King and Lord of this country 73
Construction of country estate
75
Basket weaving 79
Seldom idle 83
Pottery and baking 90
Success in building canoe, but
none in launching it 92
Eleventh year 105--now a good carpenter
Clothing 108
Use of reason to examine foot print
113
15 years pass with the observation
of natives from the mainland 116
debate over whether to kill them
124
23rd year of residence; three residences
130
Witnessing of Spanish shipwreck
133