Survival Fiction - Book 3: "Robinson Crusoe" by Daniel Defoe

 I did not plan on our first three novels correlating the way they did, but we discovered that Heart of Darkness, The Drowned World and Robinson Crusoe all talk to each other in certain ways. The readers noted the treatment of the "savage" in Crusoe and how the island natives are viewed and treated as lesser, more like commodities. They also noted how Crusoe had a sense of mastery and ownership over the island, perhaps a similar (but less innocent) feeling Kurtz had over his territory. in Heart of Darkness. There are also some heavy imperialistic overtones in the novel that resonated with anyone familiar with Heart or similar words.

I usually let our conversation snowball naturally, but I had a question of which I was curious to hear their answer to."Why has this novel remained so popular over the last 300 years?" It is arguably the first novel, at least in the western world. It's inspired it's own genre of fiction (Robinsonade). One reader linked it to those "desert island" questions we hear. "What would your five movies/books/albums/etc. on a desert island?' Robinson Crusoe looks at what life might be like on a desert island. The notion of being stranded on an island is a questions people enjoy wrestling with. We all live to imagine ourselves as these inspired, crafty survivors. Another reader suggested this novel is the inspiration for the reality television show "Survivor." But above the desert island aspects of the novel, they were struck by the sense of adventure and ingenuity in the novel. What Crusoe experiences is something nobody else will experience. Being based in a realistic world allows for readers to be transported and imagine what it was like. One reader thought at length what he would do were he in Crusoe's shoes, especially in regards to building boats and caves and cultivating a farm. He would set his book down and think about what he might do.

In the last part of our discussion, the readers related the novel to their own situation of being in prison.Crusoe had to "scavenge" for social interaction. Crusoe could not be picky with Friday and quarrel over differences in lifestyle, worldviews, or opinions. They found common ground. The readers could relate to this. They are in a hyper-controlled/restricted environment and have to make the best of what's in front of them. They have very little they can control. The simplicity and minimalism of Crusoe's island boils things down to what's important and essential. Crusoe didn't have to worry about politics or social structures or things of that nature. Many of the religious dogmas and doctrines that bog the modern world don't matter. It's only his relationship to God, to Friday, and his self-reliance. We started to touch on the ideas of rebirth and repentance but alas, we ran out of time! 

Next week, we are reading a novel that falls in the Robinsonade tradition: The Martian. We're swapping out a desert island for the red hellscape of Mars.

Please feel free to share your thoughts on Defoe, his work, and anything else related in the comments!

Here is a link to an info sheet provided to the readers. It has a brief biography of Daniel Defoe, as well as some information on Robinson Crusoe. I also try to provide some supplemental reading materials in the form of papers, essays, and Q&As. Here is an essay from 2012 by Geert Vandermeersche & Ronald Soetaert on landscape, culture, and education in Robinson Crusoe. You can also buy the book we read on Amazon, IndieBound, and Audible.

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And if you'd like to buy a book for the book drive, check out the wishlist here.


Thanks! And keep reading.

-Elliot