Robinson Crusoe By Daniel Defoe (c. 1659-1731) Essay, Research Paper
An adventurous tale, The Life and Strange
Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, as Defoe titled his novel, is
especially loved by children, although there is certainly enough to keep
an adult entertained as well. Since the story is told in the first person,
it is easy to confuse the author with the character of Crusoe, and in fact
the novel is based on the real-life adventures of a man named Alexander
Selkirk, a Scottish sailor who was marooned for a little over four years
on an island called Juan Fernandez. Defoe obviously added a great deal
of imagination, adventure and romance to his tale. He also incorporates
into his novel many of his own beliefs in divine providence and the importance
of faith.
It is evidence of Defoe’s talent and spirit
that this book is still, after more than 250 years, popular reading.