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
1. Introduction
2. The religion in Robinson Crusoe
2.1. Robinson Crusoe's character and religion before his arrival on the island
2.1.2. The original sin
2.1.3. The recurring circle of structure
2.2. Robinson Crusoe's character and religion after his arrival on the island
2.2.1. First religious contacts
2.2.2. The conversion
2.2.3. Friday's conversion
3. Life and religion of Daniel Defoe
4. Puritanical characteristics in Robinson Crusoe
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper aims to analyze Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe as a religious allegory, focusing on the protagonist's spiritual development and his evolving relationship with God throughout his isolation. The study investigates how Defoe embeds his own Puritanical worldview into the narrative and explores the character's journey from rebellion to divine reconciliation.
- The religious interpretation of Robinson Crusoe's life.
- The influence of Puritanical tradition on the novel's structure and themes.
- The concept of providence as a driving force in the protagonist's experiences.
- The evolution of Robinson Crusoe’s faith through crisis and conversion.
- The synthesis of autobiography and spiritual allegory.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1.3. The recurring circle of structure
The circle begins with his first departure from home, Robinson Crusoe’s original sin, which can be seen as the key point within the story because his disobedience is a kind of release for all of the following disasters which Robinson experienced. While he is on his first trip on the ship to London a storm increases and Robinson gets seasick and afraid he could die in the storm. He already begins to reflect upon what he has done and thinks about “the Breach of my Duty to God and my Father” (Defoe 1719: 7). He regrets his decision to go to sea and swears:
[…] if ever I got once my Foot upon dry Land again, I would go directly home to my Father, and never set it into a Ship again while I liv’d; that I would take his Advice, and never run myself into such Miseries as these any more. (Defoe 1719: 8)
Seidel (1943: 84) mentions in this connection that Robinson is given to radical shifts in emotion. This is justified in the fact that soon after the storm is over and Robinson feels much better he forgets all his vows and remains on the ship. However, soon another storm arises in Yarmouth Roads and Robinson Crusoe worries about his life again. The ship gets shipwrecked but Robinson is rescued. Afterwards the master of the ship comes to Robinson and tells him he shall take this occasion as a token not to go to sea anymore.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the scope of the research, framing the novel as a religious allegory rather than just an adventurous travelogue or economic parable.
2. The religion in Robinson Crusoe: Examines the protagonist's character arc, starting from his initial 'original sin' of rebellion against his father, through his isolation, and culminating in his religious conversion and the conversion of Friday.
3. Life and religion of Daniel Defoe: Outlines the biography of the author, focusing on his Puritan background and how his personal and political life shaped his worldview.
4. Puritanical characteristics in Robinson Crusoe: Identifies specific theological and structural elements, such as the 'spiritual pilgrimage', that connect the novel to the Puritan tradition.
5. Conclusion: Synthesizes the religious findings and acknowledges alternative interpretations of the novel as a manifestation of the 'homo oeconomicus'.
Keywords
Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Defoe, Religion, Puritanism, Providence, Original Sin, Spiritual Pilgrimage, Conversion, Allegory, Enlightenment, Salvation, Faith, Colonialism, Literature, Theology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental subject of this research?
The research explores the religious dimensions within Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe, analyzing the text as an allegory for spiritual development and divine providence.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The core themes include the role of original sin, the impact of Puritan beliefs on the narrative, the concept of the spiritual pilgrimage, and the psychological impact of isolation on religious belief.
What is the primary objective of this work?
The author intends to demonstrate that Robinson Crusoe is not merely an adventure story, but a complex religious narrative detailing a transition from rebellion to divine grace.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The paper utilizes a literary analysis approach, drawing upon historical context, theological definitions, and critical literary theory to interpret narrative passages.
What does the main body address?
It covers the protagonist's early life, his disasters as divine punishment, his spiritual conversion on the island, the influence of Defoe's biography, and the broader Puritanical context of the novel.
Which keywords characterize this paper?
The paper is characterized by terms such as Puritanism, Providence, Spiritual Pilgrimage, Original Sin, and Religious Allegory.
How does the "original sin" shape the protagonist's journey?
It is framed as the departure from his father's counsel, which serves as a catalyst for all subsequent disasters, forcing Crusoe into a cycle of suffering and ultimate repentance.
What is the role of Friday in the religious narrative?
Friday functions as the medium through which Robinson moves from receiving divine grace to acting as a providential agent, facilitating his own spiritual growth through the act of mentorship.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2006, The Religion in Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/69370
