Daniel De Foes 1660 1731 Robinson Crusoe Novel
Daniel De. Foe’s (1660 -1731) Robinson Crusoe
Novel – a literary genre n Definition: an invented prose narrative that is usually long and complex and deals especially with human experience through a usually connected sequence of events.
English novel development Italian word novella, applied by Italian writer Giovanni Boccaccio to his Decameron (1349). n Spanish picaresque stories e. g. Don Quixote n French romances e. g. The Romaunt of Rose n English prose fiction before 1700, e. g. The Pilgrim’s Progress (1678) n
In 18 th century novel became a dominant form of literature in England because it allowed the writer a creative space that no other genres of literature could provide. n As human horizons expanded with the rapid developments in science, industry, and interests of life, the novel became an increasingly popular literary form. n
In a novel authors examined society with greater depth and breadth. n They wrote revealingly about people living within, or escaping from, the pressures of society. n They envisioned the hopes ad values of different classes of people in an age of a thriving bourgeoisie and implied their criticism of a social system that failed to satisfy human wishes and aspirations. n Early English novels had the middle class as its major audience. n
Robinson Crusoe Prototype: seaman Alexander Selkirk, marooned on an island off the coast of Chile. n Prototype of deserted island novel (shared subjects…) n Summary: n Study the Excerpt from chapter IV n Themes n
Excerpt from Chapter IV What factors did Crusoe take into consideration in building his tent? (p. 3) n Locate the detailed data of his tent building. (p. 6/7/8) n What caused Crusoe to consider to save his ammunition? (p. 14) and how did he do it? (p. 15) n Spot the description of his hunting for food. (p. 16) n Crusoe’s thoughts of his condition (p. 18 -20) n Landing date; season; n Timing method; WHY? n
Themes Most simply: a story of sea adventures --children’s literature. n Politically: an artistic projection of colonial expansion n Individually: optimistic attitude + hard working facing life frustrations n Socially:different western cultural values:---- n
The dignity of labor (a slogan to justify the bourgeoisie’s accumulation of wealth through diligent work and colonial expansion. ) n back to nature (‘I looked now upon the civilized world as a thing remote, which I had nothing to do with, no expectation from, and indeed no desires about…’) n Religious devotion (inner peace does not come from material possessions but from communication with God. ) n
n http: //www. gradesaver. com/robin son-crusoe/study-guide/
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