Analysis of Robinson Crusoe Novel

1. Setting: (Time) From 1651 to 1694.

(Place) Transatlantic.

Crusoe begins his journey in September 1651 and travels to Africa, Brazil, and a lost
island in the Atlantic. He moves primarily through and around the Atlantic Ocean. In
this sense, the setting of the novel is a transatlantic one. The signi cance of this
setting is that it is also the primary location of the eighteenth-century trade routes –
including the slave trade.

2. Motive: Crusoe’s desire for money and adventure.

3. Type of conclusion: happy ending, because Robinson is (REWARDED) at the end

of the novel.

4. Style of writing: suspense and foreshadowing.

a. Early on in the novel, Crusoe experiences a storm at sea. This storm foreshadows
the shipwreck that will leave him helpless and alone. “in an ill hour, God knows, on
the rst of September, 1651, I went on board…”.

b. “At this surprising change of my circumstances from a merchant to a miserable

slave, …; and now I looked back upon my father’s prophetic discourse to me, that I
should be miserable and have none to relieve me, … this was but a taste of the
misery I was to go through…” p. 15.

c. “That boy might be happy if he would stay at home, but if he goes abroad he will
be the most miserable wretch that was ever born. I can give no consent to it.”

5. Narrative format: The Three-Act Structure

Act one: Before the Island

Act two: Life on the Island (This portion of the novel is dedicated to Crusoe's time
alone on the island).

Crusoe becomes stronger in his religious faith, eventually submitting to the authority of God.

He devotes himself to much religious re ection and prayer.

Act three: Escape from the Island. (Crusoe then returns to England with Friday,
where he comes into a great deal of money from his sugar plantations. Crusoe gets
married and eventually revisits the island in his later years).

6. Con ict:

Major Con ict Shipwrecked alone, Crusoe struggles against hardship, privation,
loneliness, and cannibals (savages) in his attempt to survive on a deserted island.

1. Con ict between man and nature (environment): After the shipwreck, the
protagonist found himself on an uninhabited island, so he is alone with the wild
environment in its original form / external.

2. The internal con ict, however, is going on in the mind of Crusoe about his actions
and his behaviour, i.e., going against the advice of his father.

Even though Robinson accepted his fate, he won the internal intellectual and
emotional con ict to preserve his human and moral qualities on the one hand, and
adapt to nature, on the other.

7. Themes:

(1). Self-Reliance

Robinson Crusoe is at its core a story of adventure, and true to its nature the hero must
rely upon his wits and courage to survive. Throughout the novel readers see this theme in
action. Robinson Crusoe demonstrates self-reliance in building his plantation in Brazil.
And most clearly, he uses his self-reliance to survive on the island.

(2). Christianity / Religion:

The theme of Christianity is signi cant in the course of the novel through the physical
journey of Robinson Crusoe to the island that is also a representation of his spiritual
journey to become a good Christian. Crusoe relies on God to take care of him and also
fears God's punishment for abandoning his family and for his lack of faith and gratitude
on past occasions. Learning about the true God and religion gives him a way out from his
confusion and provides him with some solace during these dark moments on the island.
He nds his quality of life improves as his faith in God becomes stronger, and this
motivates him to continue. Some other such incidents and happenings, which rst seem
disastrous for him, later prove blessings only because of his leanings toward Christianity
in that he considers them God’s will and care for him. Crusoe teaches this faith to Friday,
and soon seems to become as devoted a Christian as Crusoe. In the end he realizes that
in teaching Christianity to Friday, he has become a better and more understanding
Christian himself. Isolation and loneliness bring him close to God and Christianity.

3. Individuality: The novel shows the theme of individuality through Robinson Crusoe’s
desire of leaving English society despite his father’s warnings. When he is shipwrecked
and ends up on an island, he learns about his individuality and the di culties a person
faces when they remain away from society. He also learns to live a sustainable life of
independence that is free from the stress of everyday preoccupations and tensions. The
novel shows that what Robinson values the most is his liberty and freedom.

8. Plot Analysis:

Introduction: Robinson’s desire to go to sea and his family’s warning from doing this.

Rising Action: Crusoe disobeys his father and goes out to sea. Crusoe has a pro table rst merchant
voyage, has fantasies of success in Brazil, and prepares for a slave-gathering expedition.

Climax: Robinson Crusoe nds himself trapped on the island after confronting the storm in which his
ship is wrecked.

Falling Action: Crusoe constructs a shelter, secures a food supply, and accepts his stay on the island
as the work of Providence.

Resolution/ conclusion: Crusoe and Friday are saved. They sail back to England on an English ship.
Crusoe discovers that his investments have made him wealthy. He marries, has three children, and,
after his wife dies, sets out on more traveling adventures.

9. Main Characters

A. Robinson Crusoe

Robinson Crusoe is an adventurous spirit who ignores his father's advice to stay at home and enjoy
the "middle station" in life. Instead, he goes to sea and experiences many adventures, including a 28-
year stay on a deserted island. He possesses many admirable qualities, including persistence,
courage, and inventiveness. When his ship sinks on his rst voyage, he resolves to continue pursuing
his dream of a life at sea. He learns the skills to survive when he is cast ashore on a remote island.
Despite Crusoe's admirable virtues, he possesses other less-desirable qualities. He has no qualms in
being a slave trader. And after he rescues Friday from the cannibals (savages), the rst word he
teaches him is to call him "master." Throughout the novel, Crusoe remains a complex and
contradictory character.

Type of character: protagonist, round and dynamic as he shows a considerable transformation in his
behaviour and conduct by the end of the novel.

B. Friday

Friday is a native who is saved from the cannibals by Robinson Crusoe. He becomes a willing
servant, eager to learn English and do Crusoe's bidding. He also stands in emotional contrast to
Crusoe. Whereas Crusoe shows little emotion, never seeming to miss his parents or wanting close
ties to others, Friday displays strong emotions. He becomes closely attached to Crusoe, volunteering
to die for Crusoe whenever he calls. Friday is also intelligent and learns quickly.

Type of character: static

C. Xury:

Xury is a non-white character who becomes Robinson’s friend when both of them join hands with
slaves to escape Sallee island. Robinson, however, sells this pliant boy to the Portuguese captain,
showing the English mentality of occupying human beings and humanity of that time.

Type of character: static

11. Symbols

Defoe uses symbols that connect directly to the challenges of building a life in a wild land.

Calendar Post

Crusoe marks his days on the island on a post he sets up on the beach where he rst came ashore. It
represents his connection to time and civilization. This is a practice that keeps him sane and
grounded as he marks o the days and years he spends on the island.