Exploring Themes in Robinson Crusoe: Christianity, Society, and Ambition
Puritans’ View on Introspection
Puritans thought that introspection was very important and emphasized the examination of conscience and individualism as the only way to detect your mistakes and extract a moral from them. This sense of self-examination manifested in autobiographies, confessions, and journals that reflected their feelings, errors, and reflections – it was a way of confession to oneself.
Robinson Crusoe: The First Modern English Novel
Robinson Crusoe is the first modern English novel. The protagonist, Crusoe, became a model because he gave hope to England – imperialism – he thinks he has to teach Friday the civil manners (how to behave). It is a realistic novel because it is inspired by events that can occur. Defoe was likely inspired or influenced by the real-life adventures of Alexander Selkirk.
Money and Its Symbolism
Money is something highly valued in society but useless in nature. Money symbolizes the faulty value of society, in contrast to the authentic life that Robinson discovered on his island. Robinson keeps his money on the island and takes it with him when he leaves. Moreover, once he returns to society, he needs his fortune in order to establish a life. As an economic man, Crusoe has been specifically identified with capitalism, particularly by Marxist critics. His solitary state on the island, his limited relationships with others, including his own family, and the insignificance of sex/women reflect the nature of capitalism, which emphasizes individual self-interest. Nothing interested him more than money (ambition).
The Sea and Its Symbolism
The sea. From the beginning of the novel, Robinson has an intense desire to go to sea which stays with him even at the novel’s end. Going to sea symbolizes abandoning a life of comfort in search of some greater ambition, whether profit or adventure. The ocean is dangerous but also holds the promise of immense profit (being a mariner you earn more money). The sea is also unpredictable and unknowable. It can symbolize the divine forces of providence (God’s care and what he has prepared for us), to which Robinson surrenders himself only when he is literally thrown into the sea during his shipwreck. The ever-changing weather is a metaphor of the relationship between Crusoe and God. Crusoe remembered God only when he was in the middle of a storm and then when the storm went away, he forgot/calmed down (like the storm).
Footprint: Symbol of Society
The first sign Robinson saw of anyone else on his island is a footprint in the sand, which sent him running terrified to his dwelling. Through Robinson’s reaction to the footprint, we see his ambiguity toward society. Instead of thinking at the possibility of rescue or of a companion, Robinson had grown to like his individual and solitary life so much that he reacted only with fear. Moreover, it is significant that the potential presence of other humans is symbolized by a footprint. Themes:
Christianity and Divine Providence
Christianity and divine providence. As much as Defoe’s novel is about Robinson’s physical journey/voyage, it is also about his more metaphorical, spiritual journey toward Christianity. In the beginning of the novel, Robinson disregards Christianity and leads a life that he later looks back on as wicked. He discounts his father’s warning that God will not bless him if he goes to sea and does not thank God. However, after he dreamt one night of a strange figure scolding him for not repenting, Robinson turned to Christianity on the island and eagerly studied the Bible. Christianity offered Robinson a way to make sense of his life. With his newfound Christianity, Robinson was never entirely alone on his island because he could converse with God through prayer. He saw his rebelling against his father as his original sin, for which he was then punished by being taken as a slave and then by being shipwrecked. However, he was blessed and liberated by God by being saved from drowning and ending up on the island with enough provisions to survive. After repenting, Robinson saw himself as further blessed by various miracles, whether the accidental growing of his first crops or the arrival of Friday and the English captain. In addition, Robinson came to see various unpredictable natural disasters like storms, hurricanes, and the earthquake that damages his island as signs from God, instruments of his divine agency. As Christianity becomes more and more central to Robinson’s life, one of the most important aspects of it is the idea of divine providence. Closely linked to ideas of fate, this is the idea that God has foresight of our fortunes and is looking out for us. Along this understanding, events that seem like coincidences or unexplainable surprises turn out to be part of God’s wise plan. This is how Robinson ends up seeing his being shipwrecked. What seemed like a disaster at first turns out to be a blessing in disguise: Robinson grew to love the island, learned much from his experience there, and came to Christianity as a result of his life there.
Society, Individuality, and Isolation
Setting out to sea, Robinson prioritized his sense of individuality over his family and society at large. He became self-sufficient and learned how to make and do things himself, discovering ingenuity he didn’t know he had. Thus, one could say that being separated from society leads to Robinson becoming a better person. Robinson himself seemed to come to this conclusion, as he realized that his experience brought him closer to God and that living alone on the island allowed for a life without sin. It is unclear whether he even wanted to be rescued and returned to society. He felt lonely in Brazil and then was literally isolated (the word comes from the Latin word for island, insula), when he was stranded alone. His only companions were his animals and, while he learned to enjoy life on the island, he still felt a desire for the human companionship that he lacked. Thus, the novel values individuality but also shows the dangers of narcissism and isolation that may come with it. Robinson rejected the demands of society in favor of individuality in the beginning of the novel. At the end, he came around to trying to balance the two.
Advice, Mistakes, and Insight
Robinson Crusoe is constantly disregarding prudent advice (from his parents and the people he met in his voyages). Robinson’s double-position as both protagonist and narrator of his story means that he is often in this position of looking back on his life. With this insight, Robinson’s retrospective narration often foreshadows the misfortunes that will befall him. The knowledge in the novel is gained through experience. Similarly, throughout the entire novel, Robinson must learn from his own experiences rather than relying on other characters’ warnings. Somewhat paradoxically, Robinson must discount good advice in order to learn from his experiences and realize his mistakes; only then he will notice how good the advice was. With the benefit of insight, Robinson often draws lessons from his own experiences and gives advice to the reader (obey God or trust in providence). This may be precisely what the anonymous editor, who introduces the novel in the preface, has in mind when he says that Robinson’s story is more than just entertaining; it’s educational. But, it is unclear whether we should follow the advice that is given to us or we must make our own mistakes and learn from them.
Contentment vs. Desire and Ambition
But Robinson could not stay content with mere comfort. He had ambition and desire for a greater, more interesting life, which led him to the sea. In fact, this rejection of comfort was a repeated pattern. The entire plot of the novel could be seen as an alternation between Robinson’s contentment with what he had and his desire for something more. Not content at home, he went to sea. Then, while happy in Brazil, he became overly ambitious and voyaged to get slaves from Africa. Just when he was finally learning to enjoy life on his island by himself, he rescued Friday. He led a rather comfortable life with Friday on the island, but then desired to escape. And, finally, when Robinson was at last re-established in England, he was once more not content to stay still and joined another voyage. While on the island, Robinson himself recognized his inability to remain content with what he had. He considered that those who could not be happy with their position in life carried them “the general plague of mankind”.
Strangers, Savages, and the Unknown
Robinson continually encountered the unknown in a variety of forms. He visited unknown lands, saw strange plants and animals, and encountered foreign peoples. His first response to such experiences with various