TYPICAL WRITER AND TYPICAL WORK OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT:
- DANIEL DEFOE AND “ROBINSON CRUSOE”
OUTLINE
The summary of the literary work
The theme of the literary
The character of the literary work
The value of the literary work
The writer’s and the work’s background
The writer’s and the work’s background
DANIEL DEFOE
(1660-173)
The father of English novel
Daniel Defoe was born in 1564 into a Puritan family (a reformed religious sect prevailing in England) in London.
His father wanted his son to become a priest.
Daniel was educated theological school.
He became a merchant, first in wine, then in hosiery. He travelled in Spain, Germany, France and Italy on business.
He failed in business, and he went bankrupt more than once.
However, Defoe was very successful in journalism and literature…….
Whoa!
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When the Church realized the true character of the pamphlet:
Defoe was sentenced to 3 days` pillory at a square in London on July 29th, 30th, 31st 1703.
And three days` pillory became glorious days for Defoe because people came there, threw flowers to him and sang the Hymn.
Before being pilloried Defoe wrote his Hymn to the Pillory.
In 1719 Defoe published the first part of Robinson Crusoe
The subject of his novel seemed to have been suggested to him by the authentic experiences of a sailor, Alexander Selkirk, who had been abandoned by his captain on the uninhabited island of Juan Fernandez and was picked up four years later, "a man clothed in goat`s skin"
- Other novels:
The full title of the novel is The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures Robinson Crusoe
The summary of the literary work : “Robinson Crusoe”
1. The Ambivalence of Mastery
2.The Necessity of Repentance
3. The Importance of Self-Awareness
The theme of the literary
The character of the “Robinson Crusoe”
1. ROBINSON CRUSOE
The main character of the story, he is a rebellious youth with an inexplicable need to travel. Because of this need, he brings misfortune on himself and is left to fend for himself in a primitive land. The novel essentially chronicles his mental and spiritual development as a result of his isolation. He is a contradictory character; at the same time he is practical ingenuity and immature decisiveness.
The character of the “Robinson Crusoe”
2. XURY
- A friend/servant of Crusoe`s
- He also escapes from the Moors.
- A simple youth who is dedicated to Crusoe,
- He is admirable for his willingness to stand by the narrator. However, he does not think for himself.
The character of the “Robinson Crusoe”
3. Friday
Another friend/servant of Crusoe`s
He spends a number of years on the island with the main character, who saves him from cannibalistic death. Friday is basically Crusoe`s protegé , a living example of religious justification of the slavery relationship between the two men.
His eagerness to be redone in the European image is supposed to convey that this image is indeed the right one.
The character of the “Robinson Crusoe”
Crusoe`s father
Although he appears only briefly in the beginning, he embodies the theme of the merits of Protestant, middle-class living.
It is his teachings from which Crusoe is running, with poor success.
Crusoe`s mother
- One of the few female figures, she fully supports her husband and will not let Crusoe go on a voyage.
The character of the “Robinson Crusoe”
Moorish patron
Crusoe`s slave master
He allows for a role reversal of white men as slaves.
He apparently is not too swift, however, in that he basically hands Crusoe an escape opportunity.
Spaniard
One of the prisoners saved by Crusoe,
It is interesting to note that he is treated with much more respect in Crusoe`s mind than any of the colored peoples with whom Crusoe is in contact.
The character of the “Robinson Crusoe”
Portuguese sea captain
- One of the kindest figures in the book, he is an honest man who embodies all the Christian ideals. - - Everyone is supposed to admire him for his extreme generosity to the narrator. He almost takes the place of Crusoe`s father.
Captured sea captain
- He is an ideal soldier, the intersection between civilized European and savage white man. - Crusoe`s support of his fight reveals that the narrator no longer has purely religious motivations.
The character of the “Robinson Crusoe”
Widow
She is goodness personified, and keeps Crusoe`s money safe for him.
She is in some way a foil to his mother, who does not support him at all.
Savages
- The cannibals from across the way, they represent the threat to Crusoe`s religious and moral convictions, as well as his safety. - He must conquer them before returning to his own world.
The character of the “Robinson Crusoe”
Negroes
-They help Xury and Crusoe when they land on their island, and exist in stark contrast to the savages.
Traitorous crew members
-They are an example of white men who do not heed God
-They are white savages.
The value of the “Robinson Crusoe”
The character of Robinson also represents those who carry the will and energy to overcome all difficulties, because without the will and energy, it is very difficult for Robinson to survive on a desert island. Robinson`s will is more and more strengthened, a process manifested when Robinson tries to do one thing over and over again until he reaches his goal and gradually becomes his own experience.
Defoe has built the character of Robinson Crusoe with full of the beauty and qualities typical for people at that time. Through the character, readers have a broader view of an era.
The value of the “Robinson Crusoe”
"Robinson Crusoe" is a highly educational novel that has brought to each person honest, simple, but profound and poignant lessons.
Through the character Robinson, Defoe also brings us intellectual lessons. As Robinson must have intelligence to survive on a desert island alone, by civilized intelligence that has made material itself to maintain life, people must always respect and appreciate the value of wisdom. Regardless of the circumstances, wisdom will be the light to guide people to escape difficulties and overcome challenges.
-Besides, the writer also advises people on optimism, love life and the spirit of overcoming difficulties. When people have faith and hope, no waves can knock their will.
Thanks
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nguon VI OLET
