Robinson Crusoe - Author

Summary

This script reflects the life and experiences of Daniel Defoe, born in 1660 in Southwark, London. A Presbyterian and dissenter, he navigated various careers, including business, journalism, and writing. Despite political troubles and exile, Defoe became a prolific writer, authoring works like *Robinson Crusoe*, which draws from his own experiences. Through his writings, he captured the realities of everyday life, with a focus on survival, faith, and resilience. Defoe’s journey, marked by hardships, political conflict, and personal growth, shaped his pragmatic, detailed approach to literature.

Takeaways

• 😀 Daniel Defoe was born in 1660 in Southwark, London, and was a Presbyterian dissenter, not part of the Church of England.
• 😀 Defoe initially considered becoming a minister but later turned to business, achieving some success before political troubles forced him to leave the country.
• 😀 Upon returning to England, Defoe's business failed, prompting him to become a writer, which he saw as a way to speak to the entire world.
• 😀 Defoe was a practical writer who created various forms of literature, including pamphlets, political tracts, poetry, and family instructions.
• 😀 Defoe was also the editor of a prominent journal called 'The Review.'
• 😀 His fictional characters, like Robinson Crusoe, were survivors rather than heroes, emphasizing the importance of everyday life, business, and relationships with God and others.
• 😀 Defoe valued concrete details and the realities of everyday life, including practical matters such as finances and management.
• 😀 Throughout his life, Defoe faced political persecution, including imprisonment and exile, and lived abroad in Europe.
• 😀 Defoe had a varied career, working as a spy, journalist, salesman, and successful merchant, experiencing significant financial ups and downs.
• 😀 He survived major disasters, such as the plague and the Great Fire of London, which influenced his writing and life perspective.
• 😀 Defoe wrote 'Robinson Crusoe' when he was over 60 years old, basing it on a true story and using his own experiences, though the character is not an autobiography.

Q & A

Who is the speaker in this transcript?

The speaker is Daniel Defoe, an English writer, born in 1660 in Southwark, London.

What is Defoe's religious background?

Defoe was a Presbyterian, a Protestant, but not part of the Church of England. He was a dissenter.

Why did Defoe choose not to become a minister?

Although Defoe initially thought of becoming a minister, he changed his mind and became a businessman instead.

What role did politics play in Defoe's life?

Defoe's political views caused him trouble, leading to his exile from England. His business ventures also suffered due to his political stance.

How did Defoe begin his writing career?

After his business ventures failed, Defoe turned to writing. He believed that writing and printing books was a way to speak to the whole world.

What types of writing did Defoe engage in?

Defoe wrote a variety of works including accounts of everyday life, observations, pamphlets, leaflets, political tracts, poetry, and even served as the editor of a journal called 'The Review.'

What is the significance of the character Robinson Crusoe in Defoe's works?

Robinson Crusoe represents a survivor rather than a hero, emphasizing the importance of everyday life, self-sufficiency, and relating to God and fellow humans.

What writing style does Defoe prioritize?

Defoe focuses on concrete details and the realities of everyday life, from simple actions to financial management.

What are some of the hardships Defoe faced in his life?

Defoe faced political persecution, imprisonment, exile, financial ruin, and disasters like the plague and the Great Fire of London.

What was the inspiration behind Robinson Crusoe?

Defoe wrote Robinson Crusoe when he was over 60 years old, basing it on a true story with a plain and straightforward narrative. While Crusoe is not Defoe, there are elements of Defoe's own experiences in the novel.