Transcript
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
http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=68626&rendTypeId=4
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
http://hugereviews.com/images/Movies/castaway1.gif
Objective approach Details
Description on primary qualities:
• Solidity
• Extension
• Number
Language Simple, Concrete
Narration 1st-person Cast Away (2000)
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