Top 10 Notes: Robinson Crusoe
robinson crusoe, daniel defoe, book, novel, english lit, literature, education, castaway, movie, film, friday, island, deserted, voyage, travel, adventure, captain, sea, slave, cannibal, writing, story, native, imperialism, coloniallism, adaptations, lost,
This novel is about a castaway’s life and adventures on a deserted island. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and in this installment of Mojo Notes, we’ll be exploring ten pieces of trivia about Daniel Defoe’s “Robinson Crusoe.”
Born somewhere between 1659-61 in London, England, Daniel Defoe lived through both the Great Plague and Great Fire of London with his family. After finishing school, he became a merchant but faced many money problems. But soon, Defoe became William III of England’s spy and began political and journalistic writing. In the 1700s, he expanded into novels, which is the medium he’s most known for. He died in 1731.
Narrated by the title character, “Robinson Crusoe” is a novel written as a series of revelations about the castaway’s experiences on a distant island. Though it was probably influenced by multiple sources, Defoe’s work is mostly associated with real-life Scottish sailor and castaway Alexander Selkirk. The book also planted the seed for realistic fiction and has been deemed the first novel in the English language.
The novel is set during the 17th century, when Africans were being sold and brought to the Americas by Atlantic slave traders. Robinson Crusoe sets off across the sea to collect African slaves, before he is stranded on an island near the Orinoco River close to South America. The main action of the story takes place on this “Island of Despair.”
Despite several unsuccessful sea experiences, Robinson Crusoe becomes shipwrecked following another journey in 1659. On the isolated Caribbean island, he fends for himself by finding shelter, hunting, growing food and making tools. He then discovers natives who are cannibals that eat other humans. After befriending an escaped native that he names Friday, Crusoe helps an English Captain with traitorous crewmembers and returns to England for more adventures.
Following his desire for adventure and his fondness for the ocean, Robinson Crusoe goes on numerous sea voyages. Despite disastrous results, he continues to pursue wealth, power and prestige by joining an Atlantic slave trade expedition. Tragedy follows him again, but he doesn’t have time for deep feelings or to miss his family: instead, after he’s shipwrecked on an island, the determined and resourceful Crusoe shows us he’s a modern man by using nature and reason to stay alive. When he discovers cannibals, his morals and values prevent him from killing them because he realizes they don’t know what they’re doing.
Twenty-four years after being shipwrecked with a few animals, Robinson Crusoe discovers he’s been sharing the island with native cannibals. When one of these natives escapes, Crusoe saves him. He names him Friday and teaches him English so they can communicate. Crusoe’s European upbringing makes him feel superior to Friday; his arrogance and colonial attitude are particularly demonstrated by his request that Friday call him master. By contrast, Friday represents all the native peoples that were oppressed by European imperialism. His joy upon reuniting with his father also shows how empty and emotionless Crusoe is.
Some of the novel’s main themes relate to the ideas of society, civilization and colonization, and the rules and order that go along with them. These are demonstrated by Crusoe’s independence, use of European tools and weapons and his attempt to make Friday more ‘civilized.’ His culture and beliefs are extremely important to him, as is how much money he can make while working at sea.
#3 – Modern Popularity
Published in 1719, “Robinson Crusoe” was immediately popular for its simplicity and lifelike storytelling. Hundreds of different versions were printed within the next two centuries. While Robinson Crusoe and Friday have been adopted as English expressions, the novel itself has given birth to the genre known as “Robinsonade,” which usually incorporates a desert island story.
The novel’s popularity led Defoe to write a sequel, but this second book never captured the success of its predecessor. Regardless, “Robinson Crusoe” spawned a number of imitations and has been referenced multiple times in literature. Famous examples include "The Swiss Family Robinson” and “Treasure Island.”
Notable films influenced by the novel include Disney’s comedic take “Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N,” 1975’s role-reversing “Man Friday,” and 2000’s Oscar-nominated “Castaway.” On the small screen, the story was adapted in 1965 into “The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe” and inspired the well-received and highly rated show, “Lost.”
Do you agree with our list? What are your favorite pieces of “Robinson Crusoe” trivia? Be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com for more entertaining top 10s.
#10 – About the Author
Born somewhere between 1659-61 in London, England, Daniel Defoe lived through both the Great Plague and Great Fire of London with his family. After finishing school, he became a merchant but faced many money problems. But soon, Defoe became William III of England’s spy and began political and journalistic writing. In the 1700s, he expanded into novels, which is the medium he’s most known for. He died in 1731.
#9 – Influences and Inspirations
Narrated by the title character, “Robinson Crusoe” is a novel written as a series of revelations about the castaway’s experiences on a distant island. Though it was probably influenced by multiple sources, Defoe’s work is mostly associated with real-life Scottish sailor and castaway Alexander Selkirk. The book also planted the seed for realistic fiction and has been deemed the first novel in the English language.
#8 – Settings and Era
The novel is set during the 17th century, when Africans were being sold and brought to the Americas by Atlantic slave traders. Robinson Crusoe sets off across the sea to collect African slaves, before he is stranded on an island near the Orinoco River close to South America. The main action of the story takes place on this “Island of Despair.”
#7 – Plot
Despite several unsuccessful sea experiences, Robinson Crusoe becomes shipwrecked following another journey in 1659. On the isolated Caribbean island, he fends for himself by finding shelter, hunting, growing food and making tools. He then discovers natives who are cannibals that eat other humans. After befriending an escaped native that he names Friday, Crusoe helps an English Captain with traitorous crewmembers and returns to England for more adventures.
#6 – Robinson Crusoe
Following his desire for adventure and his fondness for the ocean, Robinson Crusoe goes on numerous sea voyages. Despite disastrous results, he continues to pursue wealth, power and prestige by joining an Atlantic slave trade expedition. Tragedy follows him again, but he doesn’t have time for deep feelings or to miss his family: instead, after he’s shipwrecked on an island, the determined and resourceful Crusoe shows us he’s a modern man by using nature and reason to stay alive. When he discovers cannibals, his morals and values prevent him from killing them because he realizes they don’t know what they’re doing.
#5 – Friday
Twenty-four years after being shipwrecked with a few animals, Robinson Crusoe discovers he’s been sharing the island with native cannibals. When one of these natives escapes, Crusoe saves him. He names him Friday and teaches him English so they can communicate. Crusoe’s European upbringing makes him feel superior to Friday; his arrogance and colonial attitude are particularly demonstrated by his request that Friday call him master. By contrast, Friday represents all the native peoples that were oppressed by European imperialism. His joy upon reuniting with his father also shows how empty and emotionless Crusoe is.
#4 – Values and Themes
Some of the novel’s main themes relate to the ideas of society, civilization and colonization, and the rules and order that go along with them. These are demonstrated by Crusoe’s independence, use of European tools and weapons and his attempt to make Friday more ‘civilized.’ His culture and beliefs are extremely important to him, as is how much money he can make while working at sea.
#3 – Modern Popularity
Published in 1719, “Robinson Crusoe” was immediately popular for its simplicity and lifelike storytelling. Hundreds of different versions were printed within the next two centuries. While Robinson Crusoe and Friday have been adopted as English expressions, the novel itself has given birth to the genre known as “Robinsonade,” which usually incorporates a desert island story.
#2 – Literature Adaptations
The novel’s popularity led Defoe to write a sequel, but this second book never captured the success of its predecessor. Regardless, “Robinson Crusoe” spawned a number of imitations and has been referenced multiple times in literature. Famous examples include "The Swiss Family Robinson” and “Treasure Island.”
#1 – Screen Adaptations
Notable films influenced by the novel include Disney’s comedic take “Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N,” 1975’s role-reversing “Man Friday,” and 2000’s Oscar-nominated “Castaway.” On the small screen, the story was adapted in 1965 into “The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe” and inspired the well-received and highly rated show, “Lost.”
Do you agree with our list? What are your favorite pieces of “Robinson Crusoe” trivia? Be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com for more entertaining top 10s.
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