In 1719, Daniel Defoe published the novelThe Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe of York, Mariner.Defoe's most famous and most successful work is regarded as the first realistic novel of the world literature. Therefore Defoe can be considered as the pioneer of the modern English novel (Nünning 1998: 124-127). This view is justified in the fact that Defoe uses a realistic way of narrating and turns away from the tradition of the fantastic and romance-like way which was predominant so far. Besides he chooses a middle-class person to be the protagonist, a life which the most part of his readers could identify with. Finally, Defoe applies a concrete determination of time and location in the novel which was unknown so far as well (Bode 2005: 43; Kley 2002: 2). The story, a fictional autobiography, is told by the fictitious person Robinson Crusoe who leaves his home to explore the world. After different journeys his ship gets shipwrecked and Robinson Crusoe reaches as the only survivor a remote and isolated island where he lives for the following 28 years until he gets rescued.
The novel is interpreted from different perspectives. Therefore it is regarded as an adventurous travelogue, as an economic parable or as a do-it-yourself-manual. The interpretation as an adventurous travelogue examines for example the topic of a lonely person in an unfamiliar land who develops different strategies to survive while the interpretation as an economic parable would emphasise Robinson Crusoe’s way of thinking rational and economical, e.g. while equipping his cave which functions as a kind of logistical store (Defoe 1719: 55). The interpretation as a do-it-yourself-manual could refer for example to the way of producing tools out of very scarce material (Defoe 1719: 54-55).
In this research paper, however, I will make use of another way of interpreting Defoe’sRobinson Crusoe,namely to regard the novel as a religious allegory, i.e. I will examine the novel from the religious perspective. I will present the development in his relation to God and point out the importance of religion for Robinson Crusoe after his conversion, in each case demonstrated by suitable exemplary passages. Therefore, after beginning with an investigation of Crusoe’s character and his relation to religion before he arrives on the island I will turn to Crusoe’s time on the island which includes his first religious contacts as well as his conversion.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Religion in Robinson Crusoe
- Robinson Crusoe's character and religion before his arrival on the island
- The original sin
- The recurring circle of structure
- Robinson Crusoe's character and religion after his arrival on the island
- First religious contacts
- The conversion
- Friday's conversion
- Robinson Crusoe's character and religion before his arrival on the island
- Life and religion of Daniel Defoe
- Puritanical characteristics in Robinson Crusoe
Objectives and Key Themes
This research paper examines Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe from a religious perspective, tracing the protagonist's spiritual development and highlighting the significance of religious themes within the narrative. It explores the connection between Defoe's personal religious beliefs and the novel's content, specifically focusing on Puritanical influences. The analysis avoids major conclusions or spoilers, focusing instead on providing a comprehensive overview of the religious themes presented in the novel.
- Robinson Crusoe's evolving relationship with religion and God.
- The concept of divine providence and its role in shaping Crusoe's experiences.
- The influence of Puritanical beliefs on Defoe's writing and the novel's narrative.
- The significance of Crusoe's conversion experience and its impact on his actions.
- The parallels between Defoe's life and the experiences of his fictional character.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes Robinson Crusoe as a pioneering work in realistic fiction, highlighting Defoe's innovative narrative techniques and choice of protagonist. It also introduces the paper's central argument: interpreting the novel as a religious allegory focusing on Crusoe's spiritual journey and the overarching theme of divine providence. The chapter briefly outlines the paper's structure and methodology, promising an in-depth exploration of Crusoe's religious development before, during, and after his time on the island. The connection between Defoe’s life and religious views, particularly his Puritan background, is introduced as a key area for analysis.
The religion in Robinson Crusoe: This chapter delves into the intricate relationship between Robinson Crusoe and religion throughout the novel. It meticulously examines Crusoe's spiritual journey, highlighting significant moments that reveal the evolution of his faith. The analysis meticulously traces Crusoe’s actions and thoughts, connecting them to the overarching theme of divine providence and the consequences of his choices. The chapter lays the groundwork for later discussions of Puritanical themes within the novel and its connection to Defoe's personal religious background.
Life and religion of Daniel Defoe: This chapter provides biographical context for understanding the religious themes present in Robinson Crusoe. It explores the life of Daniel Defoe, emphasizing his Puritan upbringing and the various religious and political conflicts of his era. The chapter highlights the tensions between Puritanism and the Enlightenment, arguing that Defoe embodied a synthesis of these ideologies, which are reflected in his writing. The chapter connects Defoe's personal experiences of hardship and resilience to those mirrored in the life of Robinson Crusoe, establishing a crucial link between the author's life and his work.
Puritanical characteristics in Robinson Crusoe: This chapter examines the Puritanical elements present in Robinson Crusoe. It discusses key tenets of Puritanism, such as a deep distrust of church authority, the Bible as the ultimate religious source, and the emphasis on personal religious experience. The analysis showcases how these elements manifest in the novel, particularly in Crusoe's spiritual journey, his relationship with divine providence, and his eventual conversion. The chapter also connects the novel to other works by Defoe, demonstrating the consistent presence of Puritanical themes across his writing.
Keywords
Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Defoe, Puritanism, Religious Allegory, Divine Providence, Conversion, Spiritual Development, Religious Autobiography, Original Sin, Economic Parable, Colonialism.
Robinson Crusoe: A Religious Allegory - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main focus of this research paper?
This research paper analyzes Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe through a religious lens, exploring the protagonist's spiritual journey and the significance of religious themes within the narrative. It examines the influence of Defoe's personal religious beliefs and Puritanical influences on the novel.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include Robinson Crusoe's evolving relationship with God, the concept of divine providence, the impact of Puritanical beliefs on the novel, Crusoe's conversion experience, and the parallels between Defoe's life and Crusoe's experiences.
What does the paper cover in its introduction?
The introduction positions Robinson Crusoe as a pioneering work of realistic fiction, highlighting Defoe's narrative techniques. It introduces the paper's central argument: interpreting the novel as a religious allegory focused on Crusoe's spiritual journey and divine providence. It outlines the paper's structure and methodology, promising an in-depth exploration of Crusoe's religious development.
How does the paper analyze "The Religion in Robinson Crusoe"?
This chapter meticulously examines Crusoe's spiritual journey, highlighting key moments revealing his evolving faith. It traces Crusoe's actions and thoughts, connecting them to divine providence and the consequences of his choices. It lays the groundwork for discussing Puritanical themes and the connection to Defoe's religious background.
What is the purpose of the chapter on Daniel Defoe's life and religion?
This chapter provides biographical context, exploring Defoe's Puritan upbringing and the religious and political conflicts of his era. It highlights the tensions between Puritanism and the Enlightenment and connects Defoe's personal experiences to those of Robinson Crusoe, establishing a link between author and work.
How does the paper analyze Puritanical characteristics in the novel?
This chapter examines Puritan elements in Robinson Crusoe, discussing key tenets of Puritanism such as distrust of church authority, the Bible as the ultimate source, and the emphasis on personal religious experience. It shows how these elements manifest in the novel, particularly in Crusoe's spiritual journey and conversion.
What are the keywords associated with this research paper?
Keywords include Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Defoe, Puritanism, Religious Allegory, Divine Providence, Conversion, Spiritual Development, Religious Autobiography, Original Sin, Economic Parable, and Colonialism.
What is the overall structure of the paper?
The paper is structured with an introduction, a chapter focusing specifically on the religious aspects within Robinson Crusoe, a chapter detailing the life and religious beliefs of Daniel Defoe, a chapter analyzing the Puritanical influences on the novel, and concluding with key words summarizing the main themes.
What kind of conclusions does the paper offer?
The paper focuses on providing a comprehensive overview of the religious themes in Robinson Crusoe, avoiding major conclusions or spoilers.
For whom is this research intended?
This research is intended for academic use, enabling analysis of themes in a structured and professional manner.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2006, The Religion in Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/69370
