Robinson Crusoe

The novel “Robinson Crusoe” was published by Daniel Defoe in the year 1719. It is the first work of the civil novel, a new genre. Robinson Crusoe is the first novel-hero, who was descended from the middle classes. The protagonist lives 28 years in a uninhabited island. This story should be based upon the adventures of the seaman Alexander Selkirk. The undertitle gives already a summary of the story: “The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner: Who lived Eight and Twenty Years, all alone in an un-inhabited Island an the Coast of America, near the Mouth of the Great River of Oroonoque; Having been cast on Shore by Shipwreck, wherein all the Men perished but himself. With an Account how he was at last as strangely deliver`d by Pyrates. Written by himself.” Because of the success Defoe published a continuation with the title: “The Farther Adventures of Robinson Crusoe; Being the Second and Last Part of his Life, And of the Strange Surprizing Accounts of his Travels Round three Parts of the Globe.” For a collection of religious and moral views Defoe used the name of Robinson Crusoe to have more success, too: “Serious Reflections during the Life and Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. With his Vision of the Angelick World. Written by Himself.” This work is often called as the third part.

Literary:

Maier, Katharina: Die berühmtesten Dichter und Schriftsteller Europas. Wiesbaden, Marix Verlag, 2007.

Petzold, Dieter: Daniel Defoe >>Robinson Crusoe<<. In der Reihe ˶Text und Geschichte”, Band 2, erschienen. München, Wilhelm Fink Verlag, 1982.