Daniel Defoe: born 1660-died 1731
He is responsible for “making prose fiction entirely respectable” (Novak).
Identified with the Dissenters (A Christian sect of England)
Career as a hosier, son of a respected member of the Butcher's Company (and merchant)
Defoe gravitated toward the worldly in his career, rather than pursuing the life of a minister
In his desire to see the world, he looked to Sir Walter Ralegh (who traveled throughout the
Amazon in what is now Venezuela)

Robinson Crusoe
50-99
Write on the change of consciousness that takes place in the reading (50-99).
How does Robinson Crusoe reflect on his relationship with God?
What new practice does he undertake?

Crusoe works hard with limited tools: hewing and cutting a plank
As narrator, he brings the reader up to date in his journal which begins on September 30, 1659.
Cave ceiling gives way and instills fear into Crusoe; he realizes that he has to anticipate the damage caused by the elements (earthquake, hurricane, etc.)
Discovery of corn kernels that have taken root 58
New skills: basket weaver, potter, baker, planter (corn and rice)
endless apprehensions about the earth devouring him 61
shipwreck drifts ashore
Sickness from June 18-28
Vision of man descending from cloud 65
Reckoning about how he should be punished for his sins
Realization that Crusoe has been hasty in his thanks for his deliverance 66
Cries out: "Lord be my Help, for I am in great Distress" 67
Realization of God's will 68
Undertakes prayer
Debates whether to move in island
Has two houses
One year anniversary passes, as do 2nd, 3rd, and fourth
builds huge canoe but can't launch it

Group work:
Examine the character and/or the characterization of Robinson Crusoe
Pick one instance and focus either on action or what the character says about himself