Daniel Defoe Graduate Graduate Novel Novel

Robinson Crusoe Summary

Published on: November 24, 2021

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Daniel Defoe — Robinson Crusoe

Crusoe is a young man with a strong passion for adventure and traveling. But his wise father warns him against risk involved in outdoor life. The poor may be compelled to adopt traveling for professional purpose. Adventure for fun is the rich man’s privilege. Middle class people should opt for a stable life. Crusoe’s friend offers to take him to London in his father’s ship. Crusoe starts. Storm rises in the mid sea. Ship struggles against terrible waves. Crusoe is panicked. He regrets ignoring father’s advice. Then the cyclone subsides. Crusoe forgets his regret. Another storm rises after a few days. Crusoe’s ship is drowned this time. Crusoe is rescued by another ship. He reaches London. Friend’s father asks him to go home.

Crusoe does not return. He takes a ship to Guinea in search of fortune. There he prospers as a trader. During one voyage for business purpose, his ship is captured by pirates. He is sold to a Moorish [African] fish-trader of Salee, an African port town. Crusoe spends two years there as a slave. Then he makes a plan of running away. He manages a boat for that purpose.

One-day Crusoe starts in his boat with a small boy, Xury, in absence of his master. They sail for 17 days along sea coast. Sometimes they go ashore for water and food. African natives help them. But often lions create trouble. They are rescued by a Portuguese ship. The captain becomes a friend. He buys Xury as his servant.

Crusoe comes to Brazil and begins a plantation business of sugarcane. Though he prospers very soon, he grows dis-blissed with the stab’s life. Now he gets interested in the business of slave trading that brings big profit. With some friends he starts on a voyage to Guinea for buying slaves.

The journey starts on the same day he left his home. A violent tornado begins. It drives the ship to unknown territory. Then the ship gets stuck to an underwater rock. People leave it in a small boat in that terrible storm. The boat drowns. Luckily the waves push Crusoe ashore. None other is found. It is a lonely island. Storm is reduced. It is almost evening. Crusoe takes shelter in a tree. He is bewildered by this calamity.

Next morning weather improves. Crusoe can see his ship standing a little away from the shore. He swims to the ship. Food and other things are found unspoiled. He decides to carry them to the island because the ship cannot be moved. He makes a raft by binding together some wooden boards. It took 12 days to carry all necessary things to the island. On the 13th day another storm destroys the ship. In the meantime he builds a shelter setting up a tent. He climbs a hill-top and surveys the island. He understands that it is uninhabited. He decides to build a safe dwelling.

Crusoe uses the flat side of a rock as the back wall of his fort. Sail of the ship provides a roof. Rows of strong wooden poles are set in front to protect it against wild animals. He digs a cave inside, where he keeps all his things. The stock of gun-powder is preserved safely. One-day he shots a goat for food. Though he is always active, sometimes he is opposed by grief and despair. His loneliness and helpless situation often draw him in acute anguish. But he also understands that such lamentation over his ill-luck is useless. He must accept it calmly since there is no way out. He tries to revive himself considering the favourable aspects of his present situation. He begins to read Bible for solace. He tries to keep himself in positive mind. He starts writing daily diary. He cannot make necessary things for want to tools. Still he makes table, chair, selves etc.

Crusoe tries to improve his living condition. He catches and tames a goat. He makes candle from animal fat. He makes a number of wooden tools for daily use. He plants a row of trees in front of his hut. Barley plants grow accidentally. He brought a bag of corn spoiled by rats. He threw away the husk outside his dwelling. A few good seeds lay in it. When barley plants germinate, Crusoe is full of surprise and joy. It occurs to him that it is God’s blessing. The event rouses in him a sense of piety. One-day he is panicked by an earthquake. The broken parts of his ship are found on the seashore. One-day he falls very ill. He has a bad dream. A giant like man in dream threatens him for his indifference to God and to noble human values. He has led an animal life by pursuing only the objects of his pleasure. He disobeyed his father. He dies chaired his duties to nobody. Crusoe repents his impious life. He prays to God for the first time in life. Crusoe surveys his island through by traveling for days together. He builds a second dwelling at a good site of the island. He is pleased by the thought that everything here belongs to him.

Crusoe does not know what is the season of sowing. He discovers it by experiments. He sows barley seeds successfully. He strengthens his cottage by planting a second row of trees. He often goes to his second hut and works for its improvement. He plans making many a things necessary for everyday use.

Crusoe travels through his island more thoroughly. It is nearly circular in shape. He reaches the seashore opposite to his first hut. It is better than where he resides. There are plenty of birds and turtles that can be eaten. He catches and tames a parrot. Grapes grow in plenty at this side of island. Crusoe starts drying grapes as food. Two years elapse in this way. Struggle against grief and despair continues. As he cannot go against the decree of fate, he must be content with the hopeful aspects of his life of imprisonment. Crusoe drives consolation from Bible.

Crusoe has a good production of barley. Now he has to make things needed for processing corn and making bread. He invents workable grinder, sieve and baking utensils after much labour. The third year passes. At a distance, the shadowy outline of another island is visible from this island. The sight provokes him often to think of a voyage of escape. He expresses the desire by considering the risk. But often he thinks of making a boat. The boat of his ship lies at sea-beach stuck into sand. It is too big for him to move.

Crusoe cuts down a big tree, about 100 metres away from water. The boat is finished, but there is hardly any means to put it to sea. He regrets his foolishness of this impossible project. Failure makes him sad but alive. This is the fourth year. Crusoe develops a habit of musing over human life in general and his own life in particular. Life in this island is a lesson in humility and moderation. Wealth and power that corrupt man has no meaning here. Anything in excess of daily necessity is of no use. His wealth cannot help him in any way. He has to labor for his survival. He regrets for his misfortune. But things could be worse for him. Crusoe learns to be thankful to God for the pieces of good luck, without which he would be ruined. Crusoe learns to regret for his past impiety. He regards his present life as a punishment. Noble thoughts are amused by hardship, as usual. His clothes are torn now. He makes clothes out of goatskin. In the fifth year another misfortune occurs because of his foolishness. He makes a small boat for a trip around the island. But he is caught by a swift current that carries him towards deep sea. He helplessly drifts giving up all hope. But he is ultimately saved by a blessing of nature. The current is found to dash against a rock that makes it run towards the island once again. His boat reaches the opposite shore of the island. Crusoe thanks God. Five more years pass without any remarkable event.

Crusoe’s skill in making new tools and things of daily necessities improves. In the 11th year his gun-powder is exhausted almost. He tames goats and owns a large flock of goats. The dog which he brought from the ship grows old. He has cats and a parrot. He regularly produces crop and collects fruits like vine. He makes note of the day and flow of the sea-tide round the island. But he does not dare having any more boat-ride.

Crusoe standing with his dog

In the 15th year something confusing happens. One-day he discovers a mark of human foot on the beach.

Crusoe is panicked discovering a huge footprint on the beach

Fear of savages makes him panicky. He becomes restless and tense. His faith in God disappears. He is completely haunted by fear of cannibals and avoids outdoor activities. After sometimes he is pacified and begins to take precaution. He plants a second row of trees round the dwelling and decides to be cautious in his movements.

Some more years pass without any event. In the 18th year, one-day he finds in the beach the horrible remains of cannibal feast. Half-cooked parts of human body lie spread here and there. He realizes cannibals come here to have their pleasure parties. The sight affects Crusoe in a way. He is enraged. He decides to fight the inhuman creatures and kill some of them as revenge. He has guns and some bullets for security purpose. He lies in wait near the beach for months. But savages do not appear. Crusoe has a change of mood. Savages are guided by their tradition and custom. What they do is taught by their society. They are unfortunate that they are unaware of the values of civilized men. He should not hate them. His duty is to preserve his own life against any attack.

In the 19th year he takes some safety measures. He finds out a cave as a hiding place. He strengthens his dwelling. He becomes more cautious in his movements. In the 23rd year another savage feast occurs on his beach. The horrible sight of half-eaten human limbs again rouses his anger.

In the 24th year, in a stormy night, Crusoe hears a gunshot. Next morning he finds a ship stuck on a submerged rock near the island. After much hesitation he goes to the ship by his boat. Nobody is found. People must have gone away towards some nearby shore. Crusoe brings a lot of necessary things from the ship. He brings much money and gold.

Desire for escape grows strong in Crusoe though he is aware of the risks involved. He needs a helper in this project. Crusoe dreams of saving a man from the feasting savages. Such a man will be grateful to him and be a good companion. His dream comes true in the 25th year. One morning Crusoe finds five boats at the shore with 30 savages and two prisoners. He hides himself at a place a little away and waits for his chance. Luckily one prisoner escapes and runs towards Crusoe’s hiding place, being chased by two. They come near and Crusoe shoots down the savages.

Crusoe’s shooting down the cannibals

Their companions cannot hear the sound. The saved young man shows his gratitude by gestures. After the feast the savages depart not caring for the missing people. Crusoe gets his companion.

Friday’s showing gratitude to Crusoe

The young man is named Friday. Though a barbarian, he is good natured, intelligent and faithful to his saviour. Crusoe builds him a dwelling and tailors a dress. Friday is quick to understand Crusoe and to learn English. He also learns to help Crusoe in household duties. Gradually the young man is taught to feel the viciousness of savage habits and ideas. He learns to eat cooked food. Crusoe plans to cultivate a bigger plot of land.

When Friday learns to speak, Crusoe comes to learn much about the savages. They normally devour their enemies. They came to this deserted island for their barbarous feasts. Friday tells everything about their country, society and religion. Crusoe begins to preach Christian religion. While teaching Crusoe improves his understanding his own religion. Friday puts some intelligent questions. Crusoe has to read and meditate much to provide proper answers to his questions. Crusoe tells him his own story. Friday tells that 17 white people have taken shelter to his country. It must be the crew of the ship Crusoe visited. On a clear day Friday shows Crusoe the outline of his country. He wants to return, but certainly with Crusoe. Crusoe wants to meet the white people and to plan for a voyage together. He begins to build a boat with Crusoe’s help. It is 27th year. 3 years of Friday’s pleasant companionship is already over. Boat is made. They wait for calm weather.

One-day a number of prisoners are found to arrive with a few prisoners on the seashore. Crusoe and Friday with firearms attack them.

Crusoe’s attack with Friday

When some of the savages drop dead, others are panicked. The prisoners are white people. When liberated, they take part in fight. Many are killed, others flee away in their boats. The last prisoner discovered in a boat is Friday’s father. An emotional scene of reunion takes place. Crusoe arranges for the new quests. Their respect and gratitude give Crusoe much pleasure.

The white men are Spaniards whole broken ship Crusoe found. The others are now at Friday’s island. The Spaniards seek permission to bring them here. Together they can plan for a voyage to Europe. Crusoe thinks of the plan. Friday’s father and the Spaniards start. Crusoe begins making arrangement for the new quests.

After a week Crusoe finds a ship at anchor quite near his island. He keeps constant watch on the ship apprehending about the return of sailors. Soon 11 of them come to the island on a boat with three prisoners. Crusoe discovers that the prisoners are to be left behind here. Piteous appeals of the prisoners are not heeded. But the tyrants cannot return because of sudden turn of sea-tide. They wait for the flow-tide and wander here and there. Crusoe gets gets a chance to meet the three. Among them is the captain of the ship who is a victim of a wicked plot of a few sailors. The leader is killed. Others surrender. More sailors come. They are also overpowered cleverly.. Now a number of good natured sailors accept the leadership of the captain.

Captain plans to make a raid on the ship with some of his present prisoners who are reliable. The raid succeeds. The villainous rebel leader is killed. The ship is brought near the island. Crusoe prepares to leave the island after 28 years. A few rebels are to be left behind in the island. It will not be safe to take them in the ship. They will survive well in the empire built by Crusoe. Crusoe reaches England. Most of relations are now dead. Crusoe brings his store of wealth. Captain gives him a handsome reward. Crusoe goes to Spain and meets his friend, the Portuguese captain. He hands him over Crusoe’s money accumulated so long from profit in his Brazil plantation. Crusoe is now a wealthy man. He returns to England and decides to go to Brazil very soon.

Crusoe travels to Brazil with Friday. It is a long and difficult journey on foot and horseback. They are troubled by snowfall, attack of wild animals and fatigue.

Crusoe sells away his Brazil plantation and gets a large amount of money. He returns and marries. Children are born. Afterwards his wife dies. Crusoe sails to revisit his island with a large supplies of domestic necessities for people living there. He regards it his colony. People of his colony also regard him as their master.

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