A Modernist Reading of Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe

Abstract

Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe (1719) is a narrative rich with adventure, suspense, horror, moral reflection, cultural encounters, and the tension between worldly desires and spiritual devotion. It dramatizes the struggle of an individual against nature, the challenges of isolation, and the transformative power of faith and determination. This paper aims to explore both the intrinsic and extrinsic dimensions of the text, with particular emphasis on the meaning and effects of isolation in shaping Crusoe’s character. The novel, in many ways, anticipates elements of modernism, especially through its exploration of alienation, self-discovery, and the confrontation with the unfamiliar. The story takes readers on a journey beyond the boundaries of civilization—through perilous sea voyages, forced solitude on an exotic island, and the struggles of survival. Defoe’s meticulous depiction of Crusoe’s efforts to build shelter, cultivate land, domesticate animals, and explore new parts of the island not only highlights human resilience but also underscores the adaptability of man as a social being. The novel further reveals how changing social conditions and environments shape human values, conduct, and relationships. At its core, Robinson Crusoe emphasizes the protagonist’s evolving relationship with God, illustrating the necessity of gratitude, faith, and acknowledgment of divine providence in the face of adversity. This study also speculates on the modern-day relevance of Crusoe’s experiences, suggesting how similar narratives of isolation and survival might unfold in contemporary contexts. In doing so, it positions Defoe’s work as both a reflection of 18th-century cultural ideals and a timeless meditation on humanity’s struggle with nature, society, and spiritual consciousness.