Afrikaans Essay

Book Review
Robinson Crusoe – Daniel Defoe
Jayde Bromwich
Plot summary:

Robinson Crusoe is an Englishman from the town of York in the seventeenth century, Robinson is committed to obeying his father’s order not to travel or leave home, but he eventually does what he desires and leaves on a ship heading to London with a friend. There is a terrible storm, but this does not dissuade Robinson from carrying on with his travels. Crusoe leaves London on another ship, and this is a successful financial venture thus he plans another trip. This voyage isn’t as successful and the ship is taken over by pirates who make Crusoe a slave in Sallee. Crusoe dreams of escaping and does so on a fishing trip with a young slave boy. Picked up by a Portuguese captain and they head to Brazil. There Crusoe becomes a successful plantation owner and thus goes on a slave gathering expedition; this is where disaster strikes and leaves Robinson Crusoe shipwrecked alone on an island.

Crusoe lives in harmony, growing and gathering food, raising a goat and improves and grows his relationship with God. He begins to devote large amounts of time on religious reflection and prayer. For years Crusoe lives thinking he is alone on the island, but finds a footprint on the sand implying otherwise. Crusoe investigates and finds human remains and realises there are cannibals inhabiting the island. Crusoe comes into contact with the cannibals and saves one of their victims and names him Friday.

Friday and Crusoe live together like father and son and Crusoe teaches Friday some English and converts him to a Christian, and soon Crusoe and Friday save two more victims. A Spanish man and Friday’s father.

A while later Crusoe and Friday spot an English ship and decide to somehow board and take over the ship. They cleverly confuse the mutineers and board the ship. They then leave for England. Crusoe escapes the Island after living there for 27 years. Although when he returns he finds his parents are dead. He then reclaims his wealth from his plantations and from his friend who kept his money safe over the years. Crusoe lives happily with his new wife and when she dies returns to the island finding that the people he left in charge are governing it well and that it is now a very prosperous colony.

Narrative style:

First person narrative, the narrative is intrusive and speaks from his personal point of view.

Character Analysis:

Robinson Crusoe

He is the Protagonist and narrator of the novel. he is young and desires to travel and see the world. He defies his parent’s wishes to study law and instead ventures to London with his friend. When he is shipwrecked, Crusoe is able to survive well and is efficient in his efforts in shelter and food. He becomes a strong Christian on the Island and devotes a large amount of time to prayer and religious reflections. Crusoe’s will to survive and perseverance allow him to survive in isolation on an island for so long. Although not a boastful character, Robinson is interested in power and possessions. This can be seen when he calls himself ‘King’ of the island, and when he teaches Friday to call him ‘Master’. Crusoe is nonetheless humble and always clearly states when he is scared or fears something, he does not boast of his successes; such as his prosperous plantations and him being able to take over a ship. Crusoe is a good teacher and has patience. He teaches Friday about Christianity, and has patience when he wants to find and overthrow the cannibals. He waits a long while before confronting the English ship and uses clever tactics in taking over, he does not just do what he wants immediately and this is a virtue as it allows him to make informed and well thought out decisions. Crusoe is a caring and fair man, this is shown when he gives his widow friend money when returning home.

Robinson Crusoe’s skills on the island are what keep him alive, his resourcefulness is key to his survival as well as his perseverance.

Friday