Daniel Defoe 1660 1731 he was born in

Daniel Defoe (1660 -1731) �he was born in London 1660, in a Protestant family �After his studies he began his career as a merchant and travelled widely both in England abroad �Under the reign of Queen Mary and William III, he was employed as a pamphleteer and journalist �In 1704 he founded the periodical The Review �In 1719 he started writing prose �In 1731 he died in London

Defoe: journalist, novelist and pamphleteer Considered the father of the English novel, also produced: satirical novel he

Features of Defoe’s novel 1) CHARACTERS: �His novels revolve around the everyday life of middle-class characters who struggle to improve their position in society. Coherently with the Puritan values, which underlie the works of Defoe, his characters are often practical and business-minded people who are able to overcome difficult circumstances thanks to their good hearts and their hard work.

2) STYLE: realistic narration �Defoe’s novels are told in the first person and are “fictional autobiographies”. He includes references to real places, people and historical events. The realism is reinforced by the numerous details he uses and by his meticulous descriptions. �STYLE: matter-of-fact narration �There is no access to Crusoe’s inner thoughts or feelings; only facts are recounted 3) LANGUAGE �His language is simple and clear

Themes in Robinson Crusoe �Celebration of the middle-class mercantile values the protagonist managed to overcome many hardships and difficulties thanks to hard-work, perseverance and determination �Celebration of the colonial hero Crusoe is the symbol of the 18 th-century economic individualism The island is a “colony” to be dominated, exploited and civilised �Celebration of the Puritan values the man’s redemption on earth can only be attained through hard work and industry.