ROBINSON CRUSOE

Daniel Defoe
Historical and Literary Context
When Written: Shortly before 1719, England. When Published: 1719
Literary Period: Robinson Crusoe is often regarded as one of the foundational novels of literary realism.

Related Historical Events: Robinson Crusoe's journey takes place in the context of 17th-century European
imperialism and colonialism, as different countries explored the Americas, establishing colonies and exploiting
natives. More specifically, Defoe was likely inspired or influenced by the real-life adventures of Alexander
Selkirk. Selkirk was a Scottish man who survived for four years stranded on an island in the south Pacific. His
amazing story of survival spread widely after he returned to Europe in 1711 (not long before Defoe
published Robinson Crusoe).

Art Imitates Life Imitates Art. Defoe's novel was inspired by the real-life survival of Alexander Selkirk on an
abandoned island, Ms a Tierra. In 1966, to honor Defoe's famous novel, the island was renamed Robinson
Crusoe Island.
Themes
Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work.
The Ambivalence of Mastery
Crusoes success in mastering his situation, overcoming his obstacles, and controlling his environment shows
the condition of mastery in a positive light, at least at the beginning of the novel. Crusoe lands in an
inhospitable environment and makes it his home. Crusoes mastery over nature makes him a master of his fate
and of himself.

The Necessity of Repentance

It is suggested that Crusoes exile from civilization represents Adam and Eves expulsion from Eden.
The Importance of Self-Awareness
The idea that the individual must keep a careful reckoning of the state of his own soul is a key point in the
Presbyterian doctrine that Defoe took seriously all his life. We see that in his normal day-to-day activities,
Crusoe keeps accounts of himself enthusiastically and in various ways. Similarly, Crusoe obsessively keeps a
journal to record his daily activities, even when they amount to nothing more than finding a few pieces of wood
on the beach or waiting inside while it rains.

Christianity and Divine Providence

Society, Individuality, and Isolation
Contentment vs. Desire and Ambition
Strangers, Savages, and the Unknown
Symbols
Symbols are objects, characters, figures, or colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.
The Footprint
Crusoes shocking discovery of a single footprint on the sand in Chapter XVIII is one of the most famous
moments in the novel, and it symbolizes our heros conflicted feelings about human companionship. Crusoe has
earlier confessed how much he misses companionship, yet the evidence of a man on his island sends him into a
panic.
The Cross
The large size and capital letters show us how important this cross is to Crusoe as a timekeeping device and thus
also as a way of relating himself to the larger social world where dates and calendars still matter. But the cross
is also a symbol of his own new existence on the island, just as the Christian cross is a symbol of the Christians
new life in Christ after baptism, an immersion in water like Crusoes shipwreck experience.
Crusoes Bower
On a scouting tour around the island, Crusoe discovers a delightful valley in which he decides to build a country
retreat or bower in Chapter XII. This bower contrasts sharply with Crusoes first residence, since it is built not
for the practical purpose of shelter or storage, but simply for pleasure: because I was so enamoured of the
place. Crusoe is no longer focused solely on survival, which by this point in the novel is more or less secure.
Now, for the first time since his arrival, he thinks in terms of pleasantness. Thus, the bower symbolizes a
radical improvement in Crusoes attitude toward his time on the island. Island life is no longer necessarily a
disaster to suffer through, but may be an opportunity for enjoymentjust as, for the Presbyterian, life may be
enjoyed only after hard work has been finished and repentance achieved.

Money
Money in Robinson Crusoe is something highly valued (and valuable) in society, but utterly useless in nature.
Money symbolizes the faulty value systems of society, in contrast to the authentic life Robinson discovers on his
island. However, Robinson keeps his money on the island and takes it with him when he leaves. Moreover, once he
returns to society he needs his fortune in order to establish a life (and repay the loyal widow and the Portuguese
captain). While Defoe's novel explores the artificiality or falseness of money's value, it presents it as still necessary
for life among society.

The Sea
It can symbolize the divine forces of providence, to which Robinson surrenders himself. In his various vessels,
Robinson's trips are somewhat determined by the capricious waves, currents, and conditions of the sea. And when
he is literally thrown into the sea during his shipwreck, his life is completely up to the unpredictable waves that are
equally capable of dashing him against the rocks or carrying him safely to shore.

The Footprint
The first sign Robinson sees of anyone else on his island is a footprint in the sand, which sends him running
terrified to his dwelling. Through Robinson's reaction to the footprint, we see his ambivalence toward society.
Instead of rejoicing at the possibility of rescue or of a companion, Robinson has grown to like his individual,
solitary life so much that he reacts only with fear. Moreover, it is significant that the potential presence of other
humans is symbolized by a footprint, a human's literal impression on the landscape. Over the course of the novel,
Robinson and the Spaniards he leaves behind on the island leave a very different kind of "footprint" on the wild
natural environment by cutting down trees, building dwellings, taming animals, and growing crops. The footprint
can also be seen as a symbol of the human "footprint" that society and colonization leave on the untouched nature
of the islandand the "New World" generally.