Daniel Defoe

http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/D/Defoe.html

An eventful life (1660-1731)• Family of Dissenters• Modern languages, economics, geography• Financial problems• Whig papers• The Review Famous for political essays and pamphlets• Prison Pillory, a triumph• Secret Agent• Novels

– Robinson Crusoe 1719– Captain Singleton 1720– Moll Flanders 1722– Colonel Jack 1722– Roxana1724

• Comfortable standard of life http://www.bpears.org.uk/Misc/Gateshead_Plaques/

Structure of the novelsFictional autobiographies (details and memories)

Preface (stress on authenticity - journal)

Series of episodes and adventures (single hero)

Lack of coherent plot (large production)

Method of retrospective 1st-person narration

characterisationSame point of view (author-main character)

Characterisation

• Characters from inside and actions

• Physical (Crusoe) or social (Flanders) isolation in struggle

• Father of English novel, representative of new social class

• Original narrative technique realistic novel

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Defoe

Robinson Crusoe – The Plot

http://www.pierre-marteau.com/library/e-1719-0027.html

Main character: Robinson KreutznaerLeaving home at 19 to travel and to make fortuneFirst Voyage to GuineaSecond Voyage to Brazil

• pirates • rescue• owner of plantation

Third Voyage to Africa • slaves• shipwreck • 28 years on a desert island• rebuilding his society• writing a diary• cannibals• Friday • Back to England• Rich thanks to the plantation

Robinson Crusoe – The new middle class hero

Hero middle class (middle state)Classical hero of travel literature

restlessness search for identity

Act of transgression Separation Isolation

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Robinson Crusoe – The Island

Setting Island To prove his qualities

Primitive Empire Prototype of English coloniser dominating Nature

http://images.politico.com/global/robinson_crusoe.jpg

Robinson Crusoe – Individual and society

Relationship between private and public spheresExaltation of English society

Mobility Material Productiveness Individualism

Modification of Reality through work in the light of God’s willPragmatic and Individualistic Outlook Rational Method:

• Observation• Listing solutions• Pros and cons

• Choosing the best

Robinson Crusoe – The Style

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Objective approach Details

Description on primary qualities:

• Solidity

• Extension

• Number

Language Simple, Concrete

Narration 1st-person Cast Away (2000)