ROBINSON CRUSOE
[Protestantism in “Robinson Crusoe”]
Or
[ Religion or Providence plays a crucial role in “Robinson Crusoe”]
Daniel Defoe's “Robinson Crusoe” stands not only as a foundational text in the history of the
English novel but also portrays the spiritual growth, religious reflection and divine providence. At
its core the novel reflects the deep influence of Protestant values. In the Preface of “Robinson
Crusoe” the novel is presented as "a religious application of events…to the Instruction of others
by this Example, and to justify and honour the wisdom of Providence in all the Variety of our
Circumstances."
One important point is to be noted here that both the economic and religious dimensions of this
novel can be understood as an inseparable totality. Max Weber in his "The Protestant Ethics
and Spirit of Capitalism” observed that there's an "elective affinity" between “the protestant
ethic” and the rising of modern capitalism. Puritanism emphasizes work and gives religious
sanction to the pursuit of profit but at the same time it prohibits the spontaneous enjoyment of
wealth. In the Protestant ethic, Weber holds the view that "when the limitation of consumption is
combined with the release of acquisitive activity , the inevitable practical result is obvious:
accumulation of capital through the aesthetic compulsion to save". As far as this novel is
concerned, it is clear how the Protestant ethical values or ideas influence the motivation, actions
and formation of identities of Defoe's hero Robinson Crusoe who from a non-believer becomes
a believer and pure Protestant at the end of the novel.
From the very beginning of the novel, we see how Robinson disobedienceed his father by
following his own way instead of "middle way" that his father suggested to him. Disobedience of
father is the ‘original sin" of Crusoe, as Maximillian E Novak Pointed out-”Through out his
narrative Crusoe is aware of a terrible ‘original sin’ against his father and God - a sin which he
regards as the direct cause of all his sufferings." Crusoe turned from his father and set off into
the new world with his own agenda to gain earthly wealth and glory. When he was first stranded
on the island, he saw it as the worst punishment ever given to him and cursed his fate. He
didn't think about the fact that he was alive where members of the ship are dead
" ... instead of being thankful to God for my Deliverance ... I ran about the shore... crying out. I
was undone" . When he encountered the "miracle" of the growing of barley, he cried and
thanked God. However, when he found a rational explanation, he again began to deny the
Providence of God. Crusoe’s mind transforms the day after the serious fever. He began to put
God first in his life, started reading the Bible and no longer viewed the Island as the worst thing
but thankful to God for all that he did have.
Crusoe survived on the island not by waiting for God's miracle but through constant labor,
resourcefulness and planning. The meaning of hard work and labour changed after the religious
reformation within him. Hard work, making profit, and accumulation of wealth began to acquire
[Protestantism in “Robinson Crusoe”]
Or
[ Religion or Providence plays a crucial role in “Robinson Crusoe”]
Daniel Defoe's “Robinson Crusoe” stands not only as a foundational text in the history of the
English novel but also portrays the spiritual growth, religious reflection and divine providence. At
its core the novel reflects the deep influence of Protestant values. In the Preface of “Robinson
Crusoe” the novel is presented as "a religious application of events…to the Instruction of others
by this Example, and to justify and honour the wisdom of Providence in all the Variety of our
Circumstances."
One important point is to be noted here that both the economic and religious dimensions of this
novel can be understood as an inseparable totality. Max Weber in his "The Protestant Ethics
and Spirit of Capitalism” observed that there's an "elective affinity" between “the protestant
ethic” and the rising of modern capitalism. Puritanism emphasizes work and gives religious
sanction to the pursuit of profit but at the same time it prohibits the spontaneous enjoyment of
wealth. In the Protestant ethic, Weber holds the view that "when the limitation of consumption is
combined with the release of acquisitive activity , the inevitable practical result is obvious:
accumulation of capital through the aesthetic compulsion to save". As far as this novel is
concerned, it is clear how the Protestant ethical values or ideas influence the motivation, actions
and formation of identities of Defoe's hero Robinson Crusoe who from a non-believer becomes
a believer and pure Protestant at the end of the novel.
From the very beginning of the novel, we see how Robinson disobedienceed his father by
following his own way instead of "middle way" that his father suggested to him. Disobedience of
father is the ‘original sin" of Crusoe, as Maximillian E Novak Pointed out-”Through out his
narrative Crusoe is aware of a terrible ‘original sin’ against his father and God - a sin which he
regards as the direct cause of all his sufferings." Crusoe turned from his father and set off into
the new world with his own agenda to gain earthly wealth and glory. When he was first stranded
on the island, he saw it as the worst punishment ever given to him and cursed his fate. He
didn't think about the fact that he was alive where members of the ship are dead
" ... instead of being thankful to God for my Deliverance ... I ran about the shore... crying out. I
was undone" . When he encountered the "miracle" of the growing of barley, he cried and
thanked God. However, when he found a rational explanation, he again began to deny the
Providence of God. Crusoe’s mind transforms the day after the serious fever. He began to put
God first in his life, started reading the Bible and no longer viewed the Island as the worst thing
but thankful to God for all that he did have.
Crusoe survived on the island not by waiting for God's miracle but through constant labor,
resourcefulness and planning. The meaning of hard work and labour changed after the religious
reformation within him. Hard work, making profit, and accumulation of wealth began to acquire
