Daniel Defoe (1661~1731)

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• Daniel Defoe (16611731)

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• Daniel Defoe is known as a pioneer novelist of
  England, and also a prolific writer of books and
  pamphlets on a great variety of subjects.
• In his life, he produced more than 500 books,
  pamphlets and tracts.

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• Robinson Crusoe

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• It is based on a real incident. In 1704,
  Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish sailor, was thrown
  onto a desolate island by the mutinous crew of
  his ship, and he lived there alone for 5 years.
• Defoes own experience of being captured by
  pirates in 1683 also gave him a lot of
  inspiration.

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• September 30, 1659. I poor miserable Robinson
  Crusoe, being shipwreck'd, during a dreadful
  Storm, in the offing, came on Shore on this
  dismal unfortunate Island, which I call'd the
  Island of Despair, all the rest of the Ship's
  Company being drown'd, and my self almost dead.

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• The ship wreck
• The first night on the island
• In the morning he swims to the wrecked ship.

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• October 1. In the Morning I saw to my great
  Surprise the Ship had floated with the high Tide,
  and was driven on Shore again much nearer the
  Island, which as it was some Comfort on one hand,
  for seeing her sit upright, and not broken to
  Pieces, I hoped, if the Wind abated, I might get
  on board, and get some Food and Necessaries out
  of her for my Relief.

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• Oct. 25. It rain'd all Night and all Day, with
  some Gusts of Wind, during which time the Ship
  broke in Pieces, the Wind blowing a little harder
  than before, and was no more to be seen, except
  the Wreck of her, and that only at low Water. I
  spent this Day in covering and securing the Goods
  which I had saved, that the Rain might not spoil
  them.

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• The 31st. in the Morning I went out into the
  Island with my Gun to see for some Food, and
  discover the Country, when I kill'd a She-Goat,
  and her Kid followed me home, which I afterwards
  killed also because it would not feed.

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"...I reap'd it my Way, for I cut nothing off but
the Ears, and carry'd it away in a great Basket
which I had made..."
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In the novel, his characters often fall into some
fatal disastrous situation, but it does not
destroy him. Instead it strikes him to save
himself and made himself a good life there.
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Robinson Crusoe and his slave---Friday
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• His will to better his condition is amazing.

Robinson Crusoe on the beach
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• There are some moments of helpless despairs. But
  soon he calms down to have a practical
  consideration of his situation.

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• "In the Morning I took the Bible, and beginning
  at the New Testament, I began seriously to read
  it..."

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• In Robinson Crusoe, Defoe creates the image of
  an enterprising Englishman, typical of the
  British bourgeoisie at that time.