Life and works of Daniel Defoe 

Daniel Defoe was an English writer, trader, journalist, pamphleteer and spy. He is best known for his novel Robinson Crusoe published in 1719, which is claimed to be second only to the Bible in its number of translations. He wrote many political tracts, was often in trouble with the authorities and spent a period in prison.

 He was born in 1660 in London, and had a poor and uneducated childhood. He became interested in religion and joined a nonconformist group that opposed the church of England. He became a popular preacher but was arrested and imprisoned several times for preaching without a license. During his imprisonment, he wrote his most famous work Robinson Crusoe, which tells the story of a man who survives a shipwreck and lives on a deserted island for 28 years. 

The novel is based on the real life experiences of Alexander Selkirk a Scottish sailor, who was marooned on an island in the Pacific Ocean for four years.

 Daniel Defoe died in 1731 in London and is buried in Bunhill Fields. He is regarded as one of the greatest prose satirists in the English language and his works have influenced many writers and artists. He is also honoured by the church of England and some other churches with a feast day on August 30.

The Story of the novel Robinson Crusoe

The novel begins with the introduction of Robinson Crusoe, a young Englishman who has a strong desire to travel and see the world. Against the wishes of his parents who intended him to pursue a career in law, Robinson Crusoe embarks on a sea adventure in August of 1651, setting sail from Kingston upon Hull, England. Even after a turbulent trip in which his ship is sunk by a storm, he continues to have such a great love for the sea that he decides to set sail once again. During this trip Crusoe is enslaved by a moor and the ship is taken over by sea pirates known as the Sea Rovers. 

This journey too, eventually results in a disastrous outcome. It is two years later that he manages to escape in a boat with a little child called Xury. He is rescued by the captain of a Portuguese ship that is located off the west coast of Africa. Now that ship is on its way to Brazil. Crusoe is successful in acquiring a plantation in Brazil, with the assistance of the captain.

Many years later Crusoe joins an expedition to acquire slaves from Africa. However, on September 30, 1659, he is shipwrecked in a storm around 40 miles out to see on an island of the coast of Venezuela, which he refers to as the island of despair. The island is located close to the mouth of the Orinoco river, according to his observation of the latitudes. 

It is on this island that he observes seals and penguins for the first time. The only living beings who make it through the shipwreck are him, the captains dog, and two cats. Through the process of overcoming his hopelessness he is able to retrieve weapons, tools and other supplies from the ship before it disintegrates and sinks. 

Near a cave that he excavates, he constructs a habitat that is enclosed by fencing. The calendar that he crafts is made by putting markings in across made of wood. Hunting, growing barley and rice, drying grapes to create raisins, learning to make pottery, and raising goats are some of the things that he does with the use of tools that he has made himself, and those he had recovered from the ship. Also he takes in a little parrot as a pet.  He studies the Bible and develops a religious outlook, expressing gratitude to God for his destiny. Which means human society is the only thing that is lacking. 

Crusoe encounters cannibals, who sometimes visit the island to slaughter and consume captives. This discovery comes after a number of years had passed. Initially he intended to execute them for committing an abomination, however, he subsequently comes to the realisation that he does not have the authority to do so since the cannibals do not intentionally conduct a crime.

 He has a fantasy of gaining one or two slaves by releasing some captives. When a prisoner manages to escape Crusoe assists him and gives his new friend the name Friday after the day of the week on which he is rescued. Friday receives instruction from Crusoe in the English language and Crusoe converts him to Christianity.

 Following the arrival of more cannibals to participate in a feast, Crusoe and Friday are able to eliminate the majority of them while rescuing two victims. Friday’s Father is one of the rescued captives who tells Crusoe about other Spaniards who have been stranded on the mainland. 

The other person is a Spaniard. A plan is conceived in which the spaniard would go back to the mainland with Friday’s father, bring back the other individuals, construct a ship and then sail to a port in Spain.

An English ship makes an appearance, just before the spaniards return.  Mutineers have taken control of the vessel and aim to maroon their commander on the island. Crusoe and the captain of the ship come to an agreement in which Crusoe would assist the captain and the sailors who are loyal to the ship in retaking the ship. 

Following the execution of their commander by the captain, the mutineers decide to accept Crusoe’s offer to be marooned on the island, rather than facing the possibility of being sent back to England, as captives to be killed by hanging. Before setting sail for England, Crusoe demonstrates to the mutinous individuals, how he managed to live on the island and informs them that there would be more men arriving. 

In chapter 19, the island is left by Crusoe on 19 December in 1686, and he arrives in England on the 11th of June, in 1687. He finds out that his family had the mistaken belief that he had passed away. Hence he was not given anything in his father‘s bequest. With the intention of reclaiming the earnings from his land in Brazil, which provided him with a great deal of cash, Crusoe sets sail for Lisbon.

 The conclusion is that he avoids going by water by transporting his fortune from Portugal to England by way of land. He is accompanied by Friday and as they are travelling through the Pyrenees, they go through one more adventure together. They have to battle with hungry wolves and make their way over the mountains.

He ends his narrative by reflecting on his life and expressing his gratitude to God for his Providence and Mercy.

Main themes of the novel

Robinson Crusoe is a novel that explores the themes of survival, civilisation, religion and human nature. It shows how Crusoe  adapt to his environment and uses his skills and resources to overcome his difficulties. 

It also shows how Crusoe changes his views and values over time, becoming more religious, humble and compassionate. It also contrasts the different cultures and lifestyles of Crusoe, Friday and the cannibals, and raies questions about the morality and justice of colonialism and slavery. It is a novel that has inspired many writers and readers, and has become a symbol of human resilience and creativity.