Robinson Crusoe and the Literature of the 18th Century

Collection of vocabulary terms and historical contexts associated with Daniel Defoe and his masterpiece Robinson Crusoe based on the provided lecture notes.

Daniel Defoe ($1660-1731$)

The author of Robinson Crusoe, born in London to a merchant family and a follower of Presbyterianism, a form of Protestantism based on the idea of predestination.

Robinson Crusoe ($1719$)

Originally titled “The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe of York, Mariner,” it was intended as a religious work about sin and redemption rather than just an adventure novel for young people.

Robinsonades

A genre of $19\text{th}$ century publications by writers who re-wrote Defoe's original work in a more serious manner than ballads or chapbooks.

The Swiss Family Robinson ($1812$)

A famous Robinsonade written by Wyss that became a bestseller for young readers.

Lord of the Flies ($1954$)

A novel by William Golding influenced by Robinson Crusoe that tells the story of British boys on an island experiencing violent savagery.

Woodes Rogers

The author of "A Cruising Voyage round the world" ($1712$), a diary-style travel book that recorded daily weather and navigation, which served as a source for Defoe’s novel.

Alexander Selkirk

The individual whose experience on an island was documented by Woodes Rogers and served as the real-life inspiration for Robinson Crusoe.

Robinson Kreutznaer

The original German name of the protagonist; the surname refers to "near Cross" ($\text{Kreutz = cross, naer = near}$), symbolizing his proximity to Christ despite avoiding God’s will.

Middle Station of Class

The social status Robinson’s father describes as the most suited for human happiness, advising Robinson to accept God’s choice for him to remain in the middle class.

Sallee

A port in Morocco belonging to the Moors where Robinson is taken as a prisoner and kept as a pirates’ slave.

Xury

A non-European slave who escapes with Robinson; Robinson later sells him to a Portuguese captain on the condition that Xury becomes a Christian and is freed in $10$ years.

Friday

A character Robinson saves from cannibals; Robinson becomes his master and teacher of the English language, reflecting themes of colonialism and dominion.

Chapbook

A cheap version of stories produced in either prose or poetry, more elaborated than simple ballads and often printed on larger pieces of paper.

Prospero and Caliban: Psychology of Colonization ($1950$)

A work by Octave Mannoni that theorizes Robinson Crusoe’s behavior as part of "Psychological Colonialism" and a misanthropic predisposition.

Presbyterianism

A Scottish form of Protestantism/Calvinism that Daniel Defoe practiced, which emphasizes predestination, the literal reading of the Bible as authority, and the themes of sin and redemption.