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A Summary of Robinson Crusoe
If Daniel Defoe published it as a novel in 1719, it would not be published at all.
He does not call the novel a novel.
He gives it the name of a history and a narrative of fact or a book of adventures.
He insists it is realistic, not fictional
He says he is just the editor not the writer of the story.
We learn from this that he avoids censorship through these steps.
When does the novel start?
The (16th- the 19th- the 17th- the 18th) century.
What happens to Robinson’s sccond brother?
He dies
He vanishes
He works as a lawyer
He is a sailor.
What is the most obvious thing about Robinson’s character?
Hesitation
Honesty
Liveliness
Kindness
He tries to make more money
Robinson fears for his life and prays to God for deliverance when
He is in trouble
He gets married
Goes home
Starts sailing.
Robinson’s parents advise him to
Stay at home
Go to the sea
Search for money
Search for adventure
On his very first voyage, what does Robinson do to achieve himself as an individual?
He tries to make more money
He works as a surgeon
He works as a farmer
He studies medicine
What is a narrative gap?
It is a section in the story that is not covered in detail by the author.
Why is Robinson not described in detail as a prisoner?
Because he is British and readers in Britain would not welcome such a story
Because he did not want to
Because prisoners were good readers of novels
Because he intended to escape.
Robinson is not described in detail as a prisoner. This is called:
(a- narrative gap- b- a plot c- a story d- a theme)
As a prisoner, Robinson manages to escape because:
He is regarded by the author as powerful and skilful
He arranges this with the Moors
He wants to go back home
He is powerful
Is Defoe a colonialist writer?
Yes he is
No he is not
Maybe
It is not clear from the novel.
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Why does he decide to become a tobacco planter?
It is a chance for him to earn more money.
He is a heavy smoker.
He has lots of time.
His father wanted him to do so
What are the basic things that Robinson looks for once he is on the island?
Food and shelter
Friends
Neighbours
parents
Though Robinson finds money on the ship, he is sad. Why?
He has to pay it back to others
He cannot make more money by trading with people
The money is not British
The money is little
Why does the writer use the journal in the novel?
He worked as a journalist
To keep record of the time
To achieve verisimilitude
To start the real action