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.