Courage and Determination


Robinson Crusoe’s parents want him to become a lawyer but Crusoe is

determined to become a sailor. He leaves home without his parents’

blessing and works hard to become a good sailor.

He shows great courage when he escapes from his Turkish master.

He ensures he has guns and food before he escapes.

When he is shipwrecked on a deserted island, Crusoe overcomes great

obstacles to survive. He struggles alone in order to carry food, equipment

and other materials from the ship so that he can make a life for himself until

he is rescued. He builds two homes, a raft and a canoe. He is also able to

make tools and plant enough food for himself and his companions.

He shows great courage when he saves Friday, Friday’s father, the Spaniard

and the second English sea captain. He does all this

at the risk of being captured and eaten by the cannibals!



Importance of Hard Work

It is important to work hard as this makes you disciplined and successful

in life. Robinson Crusoe is a good example of a man who is fearless,

positive and hard-working. Instead of complaining about his fate,

he looks at the situation and does what is needed to make the situation

better. For example, he salvages useful items from the sinking ship,

makes a canoe and safe shelters for himself, and hunt for food.

He creates a comfortable life for himself and is able to survive on

the island for twenty-eight years.



Friendship and Loyalty

Humans need friendship and good relationships with others.

When Crusoe runs away to London, he makes friends with

a ship’s captain who grows to like and trust him. He teaches

Crusoe mathematics and navigation until Crusoe becomes a good sailor.

Crusoe is a friendly and sociable person. The captain invites

Crusoe to go with him to Guinea, thus starting Crusoe’s involvement

in business and sailing. Crusoe also makes many friends while farming in Brazil.

When Crusoe gets shipwrecked on the island, he is desolate

and miserable. Deprived of human company, he finds comfort

and companionship with two dogs he rescues from the shipwreck,

the parrot and the cats.

During his twenty-fifth year on the island, he manages to

save a savage from a group of cannibals who land on the island.

This man is so grateful that he wants to be Crusoe’s slave.

However, Crusoe prefers him to be a friend. Crusoe teaches

him to eat animal flesh, speak English and share his religious beliefs.

Friday, as Crusoe calls him, becomes his faithful companion and friend.

Crusoe also becomes a friend to the Spanish and English mutineers

who were left on the island. He solves their disputes

and helps them to form friendships with each other.



Relationship with Nature

Humans are part of Nature and, therefore, should live and work

harmony with Nature. Crusoe is a man at peace with Nature.

He loves the sea and the outdoors. So when he is marooned

on the island and finds himself alone with only Nature

as his companion, he adapts easily.

He is quick to use things from Nature to help him survive.

He uses the trees and plants to build himself a canoe and

homes, ant to provide him with food.