Robinson Crusoe

Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe, has, I believe, not just one, but two motives, or authorial intentions. The first is to show human perseverance and his ability to find a silver lining in the darkest cloud. The second is to show how people find redemption in God or a higher power when they're in great desparation, and then praise that higher power ever after. In this paper I'll tell how redemption and praise are represented in this novel.

The first instance is about 9 months after he was cast on the deserted island, and is taken sick with a terrible fever that sends him searching for God's deliverance from it. During this search he reflects on how well God has treated him even though he's been so sinful. He finds that he's been delivered from a storm, from being a slave, been put in two positions where he could have led a stable life, and then been the only survivor of a shipwreck, and all this without once thinking of giving thanks. From this day forward he never fails to pray or read Scripture.

When his first companion comes ashore some 24 years layer he is a savage cannibal who doesn't know English. "By God's hand" Robinson is able to teach him the arts and crafts, cooking, the English language, not to eat people, and he convert's the savage (named Friday) to Christianity. He is also blessed with Friday being totally subservient and kind to him. He thanks God for making him Friday's savior from a life of savage cannibalism, and for giving him someone to talk to. Probably the most obvious instance of his thanks to God is when he first seriously considers his condition, about a month after landing. He makes a good/evil list which gives him all his reasons to thank God.

Evil

• 1. I am cast upon a horrible island desolate island, void of all hope of recovery.
• 2. I am singled out and separated, as it were, from all the world to be miserable.
• 3. I am divided from mankind, a solitare, one banished from human society.
• 4. I have no clothes to cover me.
• 5. I am without any defence or means to resist violence of man or beast.
• 6. I have no soul to speak to, or relieve me.

Good

• 1. But I am alive, and not drowned, as all my ship's company was.
• 2. But I am singled out too from all the ship's crew to be spared from death; and He that miraculously saved me from death can deliver me from this condition.
• 3. But I am not starved and perishing on a barren place, affording no sustenance.
• 4. But I am in a hot climate, were if I had clothes I could hardly wear them.
• 5. But I am cast on an island where I see no wild beasts to hurt me, as I saw on the coast of Africa. And what if I had been shipwrecked there?
• 6. But God so wonderfully sent the ship in near enough to the shore, that I have gotten out so many necessary things as will eirther supply my wants, or enable me to supply myself even as long as I live.

This work reveals that Defoe's time (1660-1731) was strongly influenced by the church, since God and Providence are mentioned so much. It also reveals that money played a large part in regular people's lives, since Defoe goes into detail when money is involved. This novel is a real ground-breaker. It was one of the first real novels; blending a bit of a plot into a step-by-step accounts. The great deal of pro-church themes in this book may be due to the newness of the style of writing. The church wasn't known for being supportive of new things, and Defoe didn't want it on his back. Robinson Crusoe is a ground-breaking novel even if it is a little boring.

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