DANIEL DEFOE (1660-1731)

Family of "Dissenters" = refuse authority of Church of England

Received good education

Wrote in Whig papers = became famous intellectual (political essays & pamphlets)

During Queen Anne's reign > got arrested > denied his Whig ideas

1719 (1st novel) "Robinson Crusoe"

1722 "Moll Flanders" - pickpocket repents and becomes rich

1724 "Roxana" - high-society woman obtains what she wants thanks to her beauty

Fictional autobiographies - presented as 'true' stories

In 'preface' author stresses authenticity

Series of adventures - single hero

Retrospective first-person narration

Author's POV coincides w/ main character

Characters

presented from their inside & by their actions

appear 'isolated' (physically or socially) & in a struggle for survival or daily bread

& in a struggle for survival or daily bread

Father of Engl. Novel

Narrative technique = original

Basis for development of realistic novel

Gave voice to a new social class

PLOT (see p. 109)

THE STYLE

Objective approac to events > precise details

Description of primary qualities of objects (solidity, extension, number)

Language = simple & concrete

1st person narrator

"It was in vain to sit still" (see p. 110-111)

Present narrative technique and POV

Notice chronological order

Discuss Robinson's approach to the problems he must solve

How does he overcome the moment of sadness in the passage?

Symbolism: the 'ship' + the ''sea'

Robinson's view of 'nature'

Robinson's approach to his new situation reflects ideology of 18th century