Robinson Crusoe: The Foundation of Novel

Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, published in 1719, is a foundational work of English literature, often considered one of the first true novels. To fully appreciate its layers, it’s helpful to understand the historical context in which it was written and the prevailing attitudes of the time.

Here’s what you should know before diving into Robinson Crusoe:

1. The Age of Exploration and Imperialism (17th-18th Century):

• A World in Motion: The novel is set against the backdrop of the Age of Exploration, a period when European nations, particularly Britain, were actively exploring, colonizing, and establishing trading posts across the globe. This era was characterized by a thirst for discovery, economic gain, and the expansion of empires.
• British Imperial Power: England was a dominant maritime power with a vast fleet, engaged in extensive trade and the acquisition of overseas territories. Robinson Crusoe reflects this era of burgeoning British imperialism, showcasing the mindset of a British colonist.
• Colonialism and Exploitation: The novel implicitly, and sometimes explicitly, touches upon the realities of colonialism, including the exploitation of resources and the subjugation of indigenous populations. Crusoe’s interactions with Friday, for example, can be read as a prototype for the master-servservant relationships that characterized colonial encounters.

2. The Rise of the Novel and Literary Realism:

• A New Literary Form: Before the late 17th century, “fiction” as a distinct literary genre was not as established. Books were often presented as “histories,” memoirs, travel logs, or political essays. Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, presented as a “true private history,” blurred the lines between journalism, personal memoir, and fictional narrative, helping to define the nascent genre of the novel.
• Psychological Realism: Defoe’s writing style, often attributed to his background in journalism, offers a detailed and seemingly authentic portrayal of Crusoe’s experiences, thoughts, and emotions, contributing to what is now known as psychological realism.

3. Real-Life Inspiration: Alexander Selkirk:

• The Original Castaway: While Robinson Crusoe is a work of fiction, it was famously inspired by the true story of Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish sailor who was marooned on an uninhabited island in the South Pacific (now known as Robinson Crusoe Island) for over four years (1704-1709). Selkirk’s survival story was widely known at the time Defoe wrote his novel.
• Fact vs. Fiction: Defoe took Selkirk’s core story of survival and greatly expanded upon it, adding fictional elements like pirates, cannibals, and the character of Friday, to create a more dramatic and thematically rich narrative.

4. Economic and Social Themes:

• Mercantilism and Capitalism: The novel reflects the burgeoning commercial capitalism of the era. Crusoe’s motivations are often driven by economic gain, his desire for profit, and his attempts to create a self-sufficient economy on the island.
• Protestant Work Ethic: Crusoe’s relentless labor, his meticulous record-keeping, and his focus on productivity on the island can be seen as embodying the Protestant work ethic, a significant cultural and religious influence of the time.
• Social Hierarchy and Slavery: The novel implicitly addresses the social hierarchies of the 18th century and the institution of slavery, particularly through Crusoe’s acquisition of Xury and his relationship with Friday.

5. Religious and Philosophical Underpinnings:

• Divine Providence: Crusoe’s journey is often interpreted through a lens of divine providence, with his hardships and eventual deliverance seen as part of God’s plan. He experiences a spiritual awakening on the island.
• Human Nature and Civilization: The novel explores themes of isolation, human nature, and the essentials of civilization when stripped of societal structures. Crusoe’s efforts to recreate a semblance of English society on the island, including establishing his own form of governance and religion, speak to these ideas.

By being aware of these historical and cultural contexts, you’ll be better equipped to understand the nuances of Robinson Crusoe, its enduring impact on literature, and its reflection of the complex world in which it was created.