If you don’t have the time to travel, then reading travelogues is one of the best ways to know more about the world. But a story about a fictional character and his adventures never seems too real when it is compared to real-life characters. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe is a time honoured and much loved classic which was published in the 16th century. It is considered to be that book which introduced “realistic fiction” as a genre and provided to be an inspiration for many authors to come.
The book was published in 1719, with a different title, which did not make the front cover of the book, due to its length. When the book was first published, the readers believed that Robinson Crusoe was a real person, who wrote this book of his travels and his adventures.
“Novel” wasn’t a term discovered until the 18th century; therefore until then Robinson Crusoe was thought to be a part of the true history.
A book which does not seem like a work of fiction, but a series of real-life events-it is a story about survival, loneliness and adventures. It is a story about a young Englishman, who, against the wishes of his parents, sets sailing on a sea voyage.
There were many incidents and mishappenings which followed Robinson Crusoe’s impromptu decision to board the ship.
From being ship-wrecked and working on different sea voyages, to surviving the sea sickness,
Robinson Crusoe went on to become a part of a tribal group where he started building his own boat.
After being attacked by the Spaniards, Robinson Crusoe decided to row towards the ship of the Englishmen. What comes next for Robinson Crusoe, in his list of adventures and life in general will make the readers see a very important moral tone which tags along throughout the novel.
Robinson Crusoe’s journal, which he uses to chronicle his daily life on the island, his struggles of getting food, and how he starts reading the Bible and finds comfort in Christianity, takes up a significant portion of the book. After 20 years, he also becomes accustomed with cannibalism, while being stranded on an island.
Colonialism and Slavery are the key backdrops in this novel.
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Daniel Defoe’s novel is still seen as an ideal English Novel, and it became an instant hit during the time of its publication.
Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish castaway who spent four years on the Pacific island “Más a Tierra”, which was renamed Robinson Crusoe Island in 1966, is regarded to be the inspiration for the story.
The book is designed perfectly to be read by any age group, but it will attract the age group of 8 and above in a much more efficient way.
Robinson Crusoe’s travel stories and the various struggles he came across, made him learn more and more about the world he lived him. Although the use of a few Old English words might make it a difficult read for the young readers, the novel is still useful for interrogating topics such as human resilience, civilisation and brutality. If you are an avid reader, then you must have stumbled across this book at least once.
Robinson Crusoe’s short story is also a part of many school curriculums. It was a landmark achievement when the book was published and it still stands as one of the most important reads in literature.
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The new readers are often recommended to begin their reading journey with this piece of classic, due to its simple narrative style and also due to the heavy importance given to real life problems and the idea of survival.
This book is also considered as a “spiritual autobiography”, due to the change of faith and belief in the character’s heart.
Not every piece of literature needs to have a hero. Sometimes the life of an ordinary person can be the most intriguing aspect.
Robinson Crusoe’s account is as relevant today as it was when it got published. The novel is not only a dip into the sea for the historical fiction fans, it is also filled
with the idea of a modern and secular individual who makes his way home, even after going through numerous hardships, due to the power of self-belief.
There is a reason why Robinson Crusoe hasn’t lost its charm yet. A novel which was written in the 16th century, it discussed the issues which will never leave humanity and will never age.
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“Survival of the fittest”, is what this story teaches the readers.
This realistic fiction is sure to make the readers feel like they are living the adventure of someone who saw it all. An abrupt decision taken by Robinson Crusoe had good and bad consequences and the adventures, learnings and hardships he went through, while keeping his decision in his mind, made a worthwhile impact on his life.
