Robinson Crusoe, a Common English Classic

Author: Anonymous Editor
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: Robinson Crusoe is a representative work of the famous 18th-century British writer Daniel Defoe. It is also the first novel in the true sense in the literary history of Britain and even the entire Europe. For over three hundred years, it has been widely circulated among readers around the world and remains enduringly popular. Based on the true story of a Scottish sailor who encountered a shipwreck in 1708 and was later stranded on an uninhabited island, where he lived alone for four years before being rescued, the novel was adapted. The protagonist, Robinson Crusoe, comes from a British middle-class family and is determined to explore the world. During a voyage to Africa, he is shipwrecked in a storm and stranded on a deserted island, beginning a life of isolation. With strong will and relentless effort, Crusoe survives the harsh conditions on the island. After 28 years, a British ship passes by the island, allowing Crusoe to return home. Defoe successfully portrays the ideal characteristics of a bourgeoisie—bravery, wisdom, rationality, diligence, and resilience—and conveys the message that no matter how difficult the circumstances, one must persist in survival. Perhaps God may abandon you, but never abandon yourself! The story background of Robinson Crusoe is as follows: In the 18th century, a sailor on a British ship had a conflict with the captain and was abandoned on an island. On a completely isolated island, he lived alone for more than four years before being brought back to England by a navigator. This incident caused a sensation at the time. Daniel Defoe, who had never written anything like this and was nearing his sixties, was greatly inspired by the event and created this immortal masterpiece, Robinson Crusoe. There are not many characters in Robinson Crusoe, with only Friday having some distinct personality; the others are merely accessories. The main value of the novel lies in the typical character of Crusoe. Robinson Crusoe can be divided into three parts. The first part is about Crusoe's three voyages after leaving home, where he buys a plantation in Brazil. The second part, which is the main body of the novel, is about Crusoe's experiences on the island. The third part narrates his journey from the island back to England, passing through Portugal and encountering wolves. The characteristics of the typical character Crusoe are fully developed in the second part, making it the essence of the entire book. In the mid-17th century, Robinson Crusoe was born into a British middle-class family. He could have lived a peaceful and prosperous life as his father had planned, relying on his family's wealth. However, Crusoe, who was determined to explore the world, became a sailor and navigated the turbulent and perilous seas. Later, he spent over 20 years living on the island.