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Robinson Crusoe
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Robinson Crusoe (beg.) by Daniel Defoe - Group Read (hosted by Erich)
Summary of (Chapter 3)
Following the success of his first voyage to Africa, Robinson decided to go on a second journey as a “Guiney Trader,” this time without his friend, who had died. He calls it “the unhappiest Voyage that ever Man made,” as his boat was attacked by pirates and he was brought as a prisoner to Sale on the coast of Morocco. There, Robinson was enslaved by the Captain of the pirate ship. He bitterly remembered his father’s “prophetic Discourse,” and the narrator comments that “now the Hand of Heaven had overtaken me, and I was undone without Redemption.”
Robinson did “the common Drudgery of Slaves,” always dreaming of escape. There was never any opportunity, but when his master discovered that Robinson was a skillful fisherman, he sometimes sent him out in a small boat with one of his relatives and a young man named “the Maresco."
On one occasion, the boat was befogged, and the fishermen lost their way. As a result, the master had a small cabin built on the boat and stocked it with provisions and a compass. Some time later, when the master had invited some distinguished guests to fish and hunt with him, the master ordered the boat stocked with extra provisions as well as muskets, powder, and shot.
When the guests were delayed, the master ordered Robinson to take the boat and go fishing. Robinson realized that this would be a good chance to escape, so he contrived to have more provisions and ammunition stocked, and he pilfered additional tools and equipment.
With Ishmael - a relative of the master - and Xury - a fellow slave boy, Robinson sailed away from the port. Robinson pretended not to be able to catch any fish and convinced Ishmael to take the boat farther away from shore. There, Robinson took Ishmael by surprise and pushed him into the water. When Ishmael begged to come aboard, Robinson ordered him to swim for shore and swore that he would have his liberty. He made Xury swear to follow him in order to be permitted to live.
Piracy and the Republic of SaleRobinson’s sea adventures occurred at the start of what is known as the Golden Age of Piracy, which lasted from the 1650s to the 1730s. During the Buccaneering Period (1650-1680), piracy was common in the Caribbean and North Atlantic, especially with the development of colonial empires and the resulting increase in ocean trade and shipments of valuable cargo.
After the expulsion of the Moors from Spain in 1609, Moriscos from the town of Hornachos in western Spain settled in Sale-Rabat in northwestern Morocco and founded the Corsair Republic of Sale. The republic engaged in piracy and slave trading along the Barbary Coast, capturing thousands of merchant ships and raiding coastal towns in Southern Europe.
Sources
Golden Age of Piracy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_...
Republic of Sale: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republi...
This was an exciting chapter, trying to see how Robinson would escape slavery. He was very clever throwing the Moor overboard, since he knew he could swim to shore.I was surprised Robinson said he would have been content to keep the Moor and drown the boy. I didn't expect Robinson so be so heartless towards Xury.
What an interesting bit of history about the Moriscos. This is something I know very little about. I know about the Moors in Spain (though I couldn't have told you 1609 was when they were expelled), and I know about piracy and the Barbary Coast, but this just ties it all together for me. Thank you for the link Erich.
Bridget wrote: "I know about piracy and the Barbary Coast, but this just ties it all together for me."I liked this part as well.
In the Preface, the editor claims that the story is true, and so while the capture by pirates may seem fantastical to us, it was a real danger in those seas at that time. One estimate is that a total of 1.25 million people were enslaved by the Barbary Corsairs, including 850,000 people between 1580 and 1680.
The fact that Christians were being enslaved (along with a majority of non-Christians) was especially shocking to Europeans and Americans as well. In fact, according to the Wikipedia article, the United States founded its navy specifically to address the threat of piracy.
I find that the detail in Robinson's descriptions also increases the verisimilitude of the story. He tells us about the money he had invested and the profits he made during his "African Period" and also gives us an inventory of the provisions and other supplies (beeswax, twine, hatchet, saw, hammer, powder, etc.).In the first edition, Robinson Crusoe was credited as the author, so many readers believed that it was an autobiographical travelogue rather than fiction.
Illustrations for Chapters 1-3Robinson Crusoe has been illustrated numerous times since its publication. Here are some images of significant moments from our reading so far.
Crusoe’s father giving his advice
Edward Henry Wehnert, 1862
Crusoe swooning away
Edward Henry Wehnert, 1862
You’re but a fresh-water sailor
Wal Paget, 1891
The Attack by the Sallee Rover
Unknown artist; published in Cassell, Petter, and Galpin, 1863
Crusoe a Slave
Unknown artist; published in Cassell, Petter, and Galpin, 1863
I proved very dexterous
Crusoe throwing the Moor overboard
Edward Henry Wehnert, 1862
If you come near the boat, I’ll shoot you
Wal Paget, 1891
Bridget wrote: "I was surprised Robinson said he would have been content to keep the Moor and drown the boy. I didn't expect Robinson so be so heartless towards Xury...."Yes, Robinson is showing some heartlessness towards the lives of other men. I felt the same way when he pushed the Moor into the water, after telling him to move further from shore. He believes the Moor can swim to shore, but he couldn't know whether this was true or not.
On the other hand, he's fleeing slavery for his freedom. He has a small window of opportunity and has to take advantage of this, which may mean sacrificing others.
I find it ironic that Robinson, with his wanderlust and want of adventure, ignores his father's advice to stay at home, only to end up even more restrained living the life of a slave.
Erich, thank you for the pictures. I really enjoy them.In Crusoe’s father giving his advicei, Robinson looks quite a bit younger than his 18 years. Was this to show his naiveness, I wonder?
Crusoe swooning away makes me laugh. Had Robinson swooned in that spot, he'd have fallen overboard and drowned. We wouldn't be enjoying this story (since it wouldn't have happened). LOL.
In You’re but a fresh-water sailor, Robinson truly does look out of place and of no use as a sailor.
Robinson looks very pensive in Crusoe a Slave. He's truly lamenting his situation.
In Crusoe throwing the Moor overboard one can see the town in the background. Perhaps the Moor really could swim back to shore. It makes me feel a bit better, in some ways, knowing that he had a chance.
I like the pictures Erich. Really add more dimension to the story. I am listening to an audiobook on Audible and it is really enhancing the entire experience and giving it that added "adventure" element. I have a hard back copy with illustrations but opted out because the Kindle version at least has the book divided into chapters. I think this young protagonist is a bit naive and must overcome his many mistakes (self-inflicted) and try to make his way in the world, as many of your have commented on. It really feels like this is also a coming of age in a way as well, or at least, will be.
Petra wrote: "Erich, thank you for the pictures. I really enjoy them."I agree with your ideas about the pictures. Robinson really does look too young in the first, but the artist got his father right: an "ancient" man with a gouty leg.
I can see from the second picture that the pump is the same design as a water pump you might see on land, even with a little bucket. I had read about pumping out water from leaking ships (Melville and Conrad), but I never knew what the machine actually looked like.
In the third picture, he looks too young as well, but I like the contrast between Robinson's young middle-class Protestant clothes and his friend's.
In Crusoe throwing the Moor overboard, the artist has decided to have Robinson throw him from the waist rather than "under his Twist," which my footnote tells me meant "crotch" at that time.
Franky wrote: "I like the pictures Erich. Really add more dimension to the story. I am listening to an audiobook on Audible and it is really enhancing the entire experience and giving it that added "adventure" el..."That's interesting, Franky. I can imagine this book would be very good on audio, especially with a good narrator. And you don't have to hear all the Capital Letters!
Summary of (Chapter 3 cont.)
After throwing Ishmael overboard, Robinson headed the boat straight out to sea but then turned south to the “truly Barbarian coast” to evade pursuit. Robinson estimated that he had left Moroccan territory by the next afternoon. Even so, he continued on for five full days to be sure of his escape.
Robinson finally stopped at the mouth of an unknown river. He decided to wait until night to swim to shore to explore the area, but as soon as it was dark he and Xury heard “such dreadful Noises of the Barking, Roaring, and Howling of Wild Creatures, of we knew not what Kinds” that they decided to stay on the boat until morning.
During the night, strange and monstrous animals splashed near the shore and kept up their noises. As Robinson and Xury listened, they heard a large animal - which might have been a “Lyon” - swimming toward the boat. When it had almost reached them, Robinson fired a gun and the creature swam away.
Robinson and Xury were out of fresh water, so in spite of the danger from “Savages,” they had to risk going ashore during the daytime. Xury volunteered to go, and he affectionately explained to Robinson that “If wild Mans come, they eat me, you go wey.” Robinson decided that they would both go, and they waded ashore to find fresh water. While they were on shore, Xury shot a hare-like animal, which they feasted upon.
Robinson believed that they were near the Canary Islands and hoped to sail there, but he did not know his precise location and the boat was small, so he decided to follow the coast southward, hoping to meet up with an English merchant vessel. The land they sailed along was inhabited only by wild animals and lay between “the Emperor of Morocco’s Dominions and the Negro’s.
On one occasion when they landed on shore for fresh water, they saw a “terrible great Lyon” sleeping on a hillock. Robinson loaded several guns, and they killed the animal. Even though killing the lion was “Game indeed to us,” they could not eat it, and they had wasted powder and shot. Even so, Xury cut off one of the lion’s feet as a trophy and they skinned the animal as well.
They continued on for many more days, only stopping for water and running dangerously low on food. Robinson still hoped to meet a merchant vessel near the Canary or Cape Verde Islands. Eventually, they began to see people on the shore, and Robinson made signs to them asking for food.
After they had been given food by the natives and were still near the shore, they saw two enormous leopards chasing each other on the beach and into the water. The native people were extremely frightened, and when one of the animals swam near the boat, Robinson shot and killed it. The native people skinned the animal, taking the meat and giving Robinson the skin along with additional provisions.
Several days later, Robinson was able to see the Cape Verde Islands, but he worried that his little boat would be lost if he ventured too far from shore. As he was considering which course to take, Xury spotted a Portuguese ship. Robinson signaled the ship, and they were taken up. The captain generously told Robinson that he would bring him to Brazil and would accept no payment.
Republic of Sale and Western SaharaHere is a map of the Republic of Sale. Robinson and Xury took their boat straight out of the channel before turning south:
They followed the shore past the Canary Islands and were rescued near Cape Verde. The barren land populated with terrifying beasts would be what is now Western Sahara:
Mod
I wonder if this was the general mindset of his class? Even up to the 19th and early 20th century, English explorers of uncharted territories would take full evening dress and tableware such as candelabra with them for their meals, and expect to wear gentlemen's clothing whether in the tropical heat, or arctic conditions.
Thank you so much for adding the illustrations, Erich! I've enjoyed them greatly, and I agree with your comments. The clothes speak volumes about the characters.My thoughts on the slavery bit are: well, if this doesn't make him think he's unlucky at sea, nothing will.
It's sad to read they killed the lion even though they didn't intend to eat him; I can understand hunting for food in the absence of other options, but not for fun.
I wanted to know how far Cabo Verde is from Morocco, but Google Maps says, 'Sorry, we could not calculate directions from "Morocco" to "Cabo Verde" :) (I see them on the map, though).
Two thoughts:It is interesting what Defoe is doing with the narration here. He is mixing the perspective so that you have at time the young Crusoe relating events as they happened in time and the mature Crusoe commenting in spots on the young Crusoe's behavior. Defoe combines show and tell so that it gives the story verisimilitude and still incorporates the moral lesson. It should be more awkward but Defoe pulls it off and this style of narration had a significant influence on literature to come I think to the point we accept the narrating style switch with no difficulty. Compare with how Dickens shifts narration and note some of the awkwardness that showed in Oliver Twist. Defoe's transitioning should be more irritating to us but I think it is barely noticeable unless you pay heed to it.
Second, I think it is important to catch some of the characteristics of the hero, and especially the British hero that are very quickly developing in Crusoe that contradict the inexperienced youth he first presents. Some of these attributes really become apparent during the escape and Crusoe's consequent actions. One example is Crusoe's seeming natural superiority to the other characters. I don't want to bog us with a discussion on racism or even imperialism but I think it important to notice that the character Crusoe is paralleling what is happening in the history of imperialism and especially British imperialism and also paralleling the Protestant breaking away and dominatination of the places to which they fled. That parallel is important especially when we layer it against the hero's journey theme.
I'm curious what any of you made of Crusoe's escape to the south? Crusoe obviously chooses that direction tactically to elude recapture but the author is also pushing Crusoe further into the adventure from which it will be difficult to extract himself and I can't help but think that Defoe is trying to emphasize the fatedness of Crusoe, how he cannot avoid and must endure what trials are to come.
Plateresca wrote: "It's sad to read they killed the lion even though they didn't intend to eat him; I can understand hunting for food in the absence of other options, but not for fun."As an animal lover, that disturbs me quite a lot. They kill a lion who is sleeping peacefully and doing lion things, and Crusoe regrets wasting powder and lead rather than wasting an animal's life.
Then Crusoe kills a leopard that shows up at the beach, probably frolicking with its mate. It swims toward the boat, seemingly out of curiosity, only to be slaughtered. Robinson reasons that, on the bright side, at least he has repaid the natives for giving him provisions!
It looks like Sale to Cape Verde is 1,681 miles (about 2,700 km), quite a journey on a small boat powered by wind. They made the distance in 25 or 27 days, according to Robinson's narrative.
Sam wrote: "He is mixing the perspective so that you have at time the young Crusoe relating events as they happened in time and the mature Crusoe commenting in spots on the young Crusoe's behavior." and "I think it is important to catch some of the characteristics of the hero, and especially the British hero that are very quickly developing in Crusoe that contradict the inexperienced youth he first presents."These are great observations, Sam.
As I write the summaries, I have also noticed the two perspectives. The story of Young Robinson is summarized in the past tense, while I must use present tense for Narrator Robinson. One reason that some argue that this is the "first novel" is that it was the beginning of realistic fiction. Some classify the work as full-blown Realism because of the multiple perspectives, the "ordinariness" of elements like provision lists, and the absence of supernatural plot elements (although Robinson certainly believes that God is punishing/supporting him). The story itself, though, includes many extraordinary events that are not part of the common human experience. I agree with your observation that Defoe combines the two perspective lines almost seamlessly.
I think that we should continue to consider how Robinson is a representative British hero. The points you bring up about imperialism and racism are important and definitely not a side-track. Again, as I prepared the summary, I struggled with how much to include about these attitudes, the comments about Savages etc., and I decided to focus on the events in the chapter. However, our discussion is a great place to think through these very difficult and fascinating issues.
There is also the point that Plateresca raised about the anthropocentrism of the character; to me this accords with what we could call the Imperial stance. Lori and Jean also pointed out the class elements that are included in the narrative, and on top of that there are the Protestant/non-Protestant factors. This is truly a rich and layered text!
Sam wrote: "I'm curious what any of you made of Crusoe's escape to the south? Crusoe obviously chooses that direction tactically to elude recapture but the author is also pushing Crusoe further into the adventure..."The Portuguese captain also brings Robinson to South America rather than back to Europe!
Monday is a break day, so we will begin the next chapter on Tuesday.
Erich C wrote: "The Portuguese captain also brings Robinson to South America rather than back to Europe!....."Although a strange destination, I didn't think this was abnormal if the ship was heading that way already with a cargo. I was thinking that a crew having rescued a sailor in need, the ship would continue on towards it's destination.
Well, for a gentleman, he certainly showed that he knew how to shoot and kill wild animals in this chapter. Robinson does seem to be growing out of his youthful attitudes and heading toward the ones that suit a hero's journey instead, as Sam has related. Not only is he trying to survive, but he is responsible for (or maybe not) Xury, who seems younger and quite timid to me. So far, Xury has proven that he would die in order for Robinson to live. They were both slaves, yet this seems to be turning into a different relationship than they would have had before the escape. Xury is still behaving as if he is a slave and that Robinson is his new master. I'm curious to see if they will remain this way or if they will become more equal. Robinson must have thought Xury would be a better companion, more trustworthy and more helpful than Ishmael, whom he sent overboard. I always find it interesting when people who can only communicate via hand motions do so successfully. They cannot speak the same language, yet hand signals have great meaning! It's wild to me! And everyone's anxiety levels are heightened dramatically - they've all probably never seen other people so different from themselves before - not to mention the wild animals are new to Robinson and Xury - and then the guns and ammunition, which the natives marvel at and are scared of, have caused quite an introduction. It's hard to believe the chief with the lance allowed the 2 strangers to approach them. This was a very tense section!
Petra wrote: "Although a strange destination, I didn't think this was abnormal if the ship was heading that way already with a cargo. I was thinking that a crew having rescued a sailor in need, the ship would continue on towards it's destination."It definitely makes sense, but my point was more about Defoe's authorial choice to send him to a new and unknown place.
Lori wrote: "Xury is still behaving as if he is a slave and that Robinson is his new master."And the book presents this as a natural relationship between the two.
Summary of Chapter 4
The captain gave Robinson an exact inventory of his belongings and warned the crew not to touch any of his things. When he admired the boat that Robinson had used for his escape, Robinson offered to give it to him, but the captain insisted on paying him. The captain also offered to buy Xury as his slave, but Robinson had scruples about selling away the boy’s freedom. After some discussion that included Xury, they decided that the boy would serve the captain for ten years and then be freed if he agreed to turn Christian.
The captain was as good as his word and delivered Robinson to Brazil with all of his belongings as well as the payment for what he had purchased from Robinson. There, Robinson lodged with a sugar planter who taught Robinson the skills involved in farming and processing sugar. Robinson then bought land for himself and resolved to be a farmer.
Robinson and a neighbor, Wells, managed only to grow enough to survive during the first two years, but in the third year they were able to plant tobacco and sugar cane as well. As he considered the enormous amount of work that was required, Robinson regretted having sold Xury, but reflects that “alas! For me to do wrong that never did right, was no great Wonder.”
He found that farming was “an Employment quite remote to my Genius, and directly contrary to the life I delighted in, and for which I forsook my Father’s House, and broke thro’ all his good Advice.” He realized that after all the danger and toil he had undergone, he found himself at last in the “Middle Station” that he had abandoned, but away from his friends and in a hostile environment. He often thought of himself as “just like a Man cast away upon some desolate Island, that had no body there but himself.” Thinking back on his attitude at the time, the narrator comments that “when [Men] compare their present Conditions with others that are worse, Heaven may oblige them to make the Exchange.”
As the captain prepared to leave Brazil, he arranged with Robinson to send his money and goods from London to Brazil and gave him an advance against Robinson’s savings.The captain did as he pledged, and Robinson’s money along with useful tools and implements were sent to him in Brazil. Along with the items, the captain sent an indentured servant to help Robinson on his plantation.
Robinson’s cargo included desired items such as cloth that he was able to sell at a good profit in Brazil. With the proceeds, he bought an African slave and a second European servant.
As his prosperity increased, rather than being content with his life and fulfilling his duties, “I was still to be the wilful Agent of all my own Miseries.” His restlessness increased and because of his “Desire of rising faster than the Nature of the Thing admitted,” he “cast my self down again into the deepest Gulph of human Misery that ever Man fell into.”
More foreboding! Looking forward to your comments.
Robinson is intelligent and takes advantage of any opportunity that comes his way. However, he's starting to realize that it takes more than money to be happy. He's missing the companionship of his family and friends. He may have picked up enough of the language (Portuguese) to do business, but he would like to socialize in his own language and culture in a relaxed manner. With the captain leaving, he is even more alone since the captain has been such a wonderful mentor and friend.
Hm, when Robinson says 'my cargo', he means the things he stole from the Turkish pirate, doesn't he? I do not suggest he should have returned the things to the pirate, but it surprised me that he was talking of 'his' boat, and even sold the poor boy who had been ready to die for him...Everybody Robinson meets is so kind to him! (Well, apart from the pirate, maybe). I wonder if we're supposed to understand that he's a likeable person.
'Seignor Inglese': Dickens had a 'Monsieur L’Anglais' in 'Somebody's Luggage' :)
It bothered me that Robinson didn't give Xury his freedom after all he did during the escape. Then I have to remember this was written with an 18th Century point of view. Sadly, his attitude would have been acceptable by many people at that time. Killing African game for their furs would have been considered acceptable too. It's a big adventure where the man with the gun dominates.The pirate stole all of Robinson's belongings and a large ship, then Robinson had to work as a slave for several years. So I think it's fine that Robinson took the pirate's smaller boat. The Moor that was fishing with Robinson and Xury was a relative of the man who enslaved them so they really could not have kept him in the boat. They were escaping what could have been a lifetime of slavery. It was not a time to be tenderhearted.
Connie wrote: "They were escaping what could have been a lifetime of slavery. It was not a time to be tenderhearted."I agree with you, Connie.
Even though Robinson has made repeated bad decisions that have brought him into danger, he has a good mind for business and successfully traded in Africa and now in Brazil. He is also astute and pragmatic, such as when he organized his escape from Sale.
Plateresca wrote: "'Seignor Inglese': Dickens had a 'Monsieur L’Anglais' in 'Somebody's Luggage' :)"Thank you for drawing our attention to that, Plateresca! It's a good reminder to pay attention to elements of RC that may be echoed in CD or that may have influenced his writing. I haven't noticed many so far, but I have read less Dickens than many of our group.
Summary of (Chapter 5)
After four years, Robinson’s plantation was profitable and he had made acquaintances among the other planters and merchants. Robinson had told his friends about his success as a trader in Africa, describing the ease with which valuables - including slaves - could be purchased.
One night after they had been discussing this subject, three of his friends visited him secretly and suggested that they pool their resources to send a ship to Africa to procure slaves. Because slaves in Brazil had to be approved by the government and were prohibitively expensive, the group proposed bringing the slaves to Brazil secretly and then dividing them among their plantations. By taking charge of the voyage, Robinson would have his share of the slaves at no cost.
Even though Robinson reflects that he should have stayed on his own plantation and prospered rather than agreeing to the proposal, he “was born to be my own Destroyer.” To prepare for the risky voyage, Robinson organized his affairs and made plans in case of his death. The narrator comments that by doing so, Robinson “obey’d blindly the Dictates of my Fancy rather than my Reason” and set off on the eighth anniversary of leaving home.
The boat headed away from South America and crossed the equator in twelve days on its journey to the West African coast. Soon afterward, they were caught in a hurricane that left them struggling for survival for twelve more days. During the terrible storm, one of the crew died of a tropical fever, and two more were washed overboard.
When the weather had calmed enough for the captain to identify their position, they found that they had been driven to the northwest and were now near the coast of Guiana or northern Brazil. Not only were they far from their original course, but the ship had been damaged in the storm and needed repair.
The captain suggested returning to Brazil, but Robinson decided that the ship should sail to Barbados for repair, a journey of about fifteen days. However, on the way they were hit by a second storm, which drove them further west and out of shipping lanes.
As they tried to correct course, one of the crew spotted land, but immediately he had called out the ship struck a sand bar and began to be overwhelmed by the sea. Realizing that the ship was breaking apart, the eleven men managed to lower a boat into the water and climb in.
The sea was treacherous and the men had no choice but to row toward the shore even though they knew that they would probably be dashed to pieces by the waves. After searching in vain for a safe passage to land, the boat was suddenly overturned by a massive wave.
Robinson was driven toward the shore by the waves, which buried and pummeled him repeatedly. Eventually he made it to land and climbed the cliffs to safety.
After he reached land, Robinson was overcome with gratitude and thanked God for saving his life. At the same time, he realized that all of the crew must have perished and he must be the only survivor. As he surveyed the island, his spirits sank when he realized that he was destitute and helpless. After some moments of despair, he managed to find some fresh water and slept in a tree for protection from wild beasts.
What do you think about today's section?
Except for the part when the characters discuss the advantages of the slave trade, I've actually enjoyed this section more than all the previous ones. The descriptions of the sea seemed more atmospheric; it was easier for me to sympathise with Robinson under these circumstances; and the whole passage sounded more realistic somehow than many of the previous bits.
Before I comment further, I want to take us back to three events that I have been pondering. The first is the throwing of the Moor into the ocean.. We have contradicting information. We haven't a true distance from land but rather must parse this from other information. We have Crusoe telling us he believed the Moor could swim to land but he also tells us he does not know if he made it and that he didn't even stick around to see if he did. I think it is fair to consider murder was, if not Crusoe's intent, at least a consideration and we aren't sure if we are to trust his words since they are the under latter narrator's guidance and may be whitewashing young Crusoe's actions. The same is true for what happens to Xury. Crusoe doesn't come right out and say he sold him. He holds Xury responsible and offers up the indentured servant story as an excuse for the behavior. But the third case is pretty damning. Crusoe joins in an attempt to obtain slaves directly from Africa in a black market scheme especially motivated by greed not need. A couple of things strike me about these three events. Defoe chooses to incorporate them into the story. They add the excitement and drama of adventure to the tale, but he could have written this differently without casting a negative shadow on his hero. Second, the parallels to actual trafficking's, the negative treatment of the trafficked, and the greed that prompts these acts.
Defoe may have brought these events into the story to give us more realism, though they strain our suspension of disbelief as much as add authenticity, or he could have just wanted the added excitement, but may there have been the possibility that he was making an antislavery statement? Could this be a way of subtly getting people to loathe these actions? Something to consider.
Sam wrote: "Could this be a way of subtly getting people to loathe these actions? Something to consider."I don't know that Defoe would have had this type of agenda, but I agree that the stance of the author towards issues like slavery and colonialism is important to consider. We have seen how the older Robinson has changed his views on several things as he looks back on his life, so perhaps we can look for shifts in this area as well.
It seems to me, also, that the eagerness to enslave other people is part of a greater attitude of ownership and hubris wrapped with the colonial drive. Everything is commodified, from wild animals to human beings. We shall see also whether the text either reinforces or offers a critique of colonialism.
Plateresca wrote: "Except for the part when the characters discuss the advantages of the slave trade, I've actually enjoyed this section more than all the previous ones. The descriptions of the sea seemed more atmosp..."I thought the writing was very vivid. I almost held my breath as I read about the waves pinning Robinson under and flinging him toward the shore.
Thursday is our break day, and we will continue with the next section on Friday.
Sam wrote: "We have Crusoe telling us he believed the Moor could swim to land but he also tells us he does not know if he made it and that he didn't even stick around to see if he did. I think it is fair to consider murder was, if not Crusoe's intent, at least a consideration and we aren't sure if we are to trust his words since they are the under latter narrator's guidance and may be whitewashing young Crusoe's actions."Defoe knew he was writing for a crowd that considered these acts normal, if not manly, and manly, if not 'hot'.
I've enjoyed both these last two chapters. Like others, I'm disturbed at the mentions of shooting animals for their skin and enslaving people. Otherwise these two chapters were full of adventure and opportunity.
It was adventurous for Robinson to remain in the Brazils rather than return to home. He didn't know language, custom and had only a bit of money. Yet he turned his fortunes and managed to build a productive plantation through hard work.
As Plateresca mentioned, Chapter 5 was very atmospheric. One could feel the waves crashing down on Robinson.
The fate of the other sailors seemed also to be as washed away as they were. Only Robinson was carried by the waves to the shore. The rest of the men simply disappeared. This story is really focussed on one person; every other character disappears when their role is finished.
The width of the sandbar around the island gives an additional feeling for the isolation of this island. It's difficult to get to because ships can't approach it well. Robinson can barely see the ship on the horizon. So, not only is he off the shipping routes, he's on an island without good access should a ship wander by.
I'd like to use this pause to say that I am enjoying our discussion greatly, and I am absolutely sure I would not have enjoyed reading this book on my own that much. Erich's expertise is only matched by his tact :) And many of the comments here have been very insightful and interesting. I'm proud to be a part of this group :)Sam, I love the direction of thought you are proposing! Off the top of my head, I'd say it's unlikely that Defoe would criticise the colonial mindset, but then we have the whole book before us! We shall see if Robinson's stance on these questions shifts...
Exactly, the description of the waves that chase Robinson (which both Erich and Petra have specifically mentioned) was my favourite part, too! Cinematic, I guess.
I don’t really have much to add to what has already been said. This was very dramatic and full of tension. I thought that nothing good would come of this voyage because of the contracts he signed to give his land and belongings away if he never returned. He had a chance to return yet he chose to keep going and another storm did the worst damage. So far, this has been a novel of choice and consequence.And I agree with Plataresca- I would not be motivated to read this on my own. This group really does give us great opportunities to read things we would not choose otherwise!
Petra wrote: "So, not only is he off the shipping routes, he's on an island without good access should a ship wander by."I hadn't thought about that before, but it's a good point!
Plateresca wrote: "Off the top of my head, I'd say it's unlikely that Defoe would criticise the colonial mindset, but then we have the whole book before us!"I've been thinking about this question. Robinson has been a slave himself for over two years, so he has first-hand experience of slavery and could have become more empathetic to others in that position. However, he is willing to enslave Xury and does not hesitate to get involved in actually importing slaves to Brazil.
I’ve been thinking for awhile now about the Captain who saved Robinson and how DeFoe never gives him a name. He’s always just the captain. Why would DeFoe do that? Then Petra noticed this story is really focused on just one person, and I wondered if maybe that’s why the captain never gets name.
Summary of (Chapter 6)
The next morning, the weather was calm, and Robinson was surprised to see that the ship had been lifted and carried closer to the shore, where he hoped to be able to retrieve articles to help him survive. He approached the wreck and managed to climb on board.
Fortunately, Robinson was able to find unspoiled food and other provisions. He constructed a raft out of some pieces of masts and other wood, and he used it to ferry objects from the ship to the shore. He loaded it with various foods and liquors as well as guns and ammunition, clothing, and carpenter’s tools.
Robinson floated his loaded raft towards the shore and discovered an inlet formed by a small river. With great difficulty, he managed to bring the unwieldy raft over hazards and use the tide to land it without losing its cargo.
Next, Robinson explored the area, searching especially for a safe place to build a shelter. Climbing to the top of a hill, he was able to see that he was on a barren, uninhabited island. He saw many strange birds but no other wild animals; even so, he feared being attacked during the night.
Knowing that the ship would eventually break apart and that he would lose anything still on board, Robinson made a second trip. He built a second raft and retrieved additional supplies, tools, and clothing. On shore, Robinson made a tent out of canvas to protect the objects from exposure.
On the third day, Robinson met a mishap when his raft overturned in the cove. He was able to save some items but lost some as well. He continued to visit the ship for the next several days. On the last occasion, he found razors and scissors along with money, and he reflected that “one of those Knives is worth all this Heap.” As a storm began to build, he left the ship and struggled to shore. During the night, the wreck broke up and was swept away.
To protect himself from “either Savages, if any should appear, or wild Beasts, if any were in the Island,” Robinson resolved to build a more secure shelter. He searched for a site that would be healthy and safe and that would also offer him a view of the sea so that he could scan for rescue ships.
Robinson fixed on a small flat plain that backed up against a steep hill with a natural hollow cave. He marked out a half-circle around the space and fixed stakes and wove heavy pieces of ship’s cable to create a fence that completely enclosed the space. He built a ladder to use for entering and exiting over the wall.
Dickensians!
Books mentioned in this topic
Emile, or On Education (other topics)The Moonstone (other topics)
Gulliver’s Travels (other topics)
Concrete Island (other topics)
Robinson Crusoe (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Robert Louis Stevenson (other topics)J.G. Ballard (other topics)
J.M. Coetzee (other topics)
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (other topics)
J.M.G. Le Clézio (other topics)
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Yes, and the shipmaster's warning to him was powerful, and yet he still went to sea again. How many more signs did he need that the ocean was not a place for him?