Robinson Crusoe: Novel Summary: Preface
Summary & Analysis
The brief preface presents the framing conceit or device of Defoe's book: that what follow are one man's true adventures "worth making Publick" because they will justify the ways of Providence in the world. (Readers may be reminded of John Milton's stated purpose in his epic poem, Paradise Lost.) "The Editor" of the narrative (Defoe, presumably) points out how Crusoe's story will provide many moral lessons applicable to all people.
The brief preface presents the framing conceit or device of Defoe's book: that what follow are one man's true adventures "worth making Publick" because they will justify the ways of Providence in the world. (Readers may be reminded of John Milton's stated purpose in his epic poem, Paradise Lost.) "The Editor" of the narrative (Defoe, presumably) points out how Crusoe's story will provide many moral lessons applicable to all people.
Robinson Crusoe Study Guide
Choose to Continue- Novel Summary: Preface
- Novel Summary: 1. "I was born."
- Novel Summary: 2. "As my new Patron."
- Novel Summary: 3. "The generous Treatment."
- Novel Summary: 4. "After I had solac'd my Mind."
- Novel Summary: 5. "My Thoughts were now wholly employ'd."
- Novel Summary:6. Crusoe’s Journal, September 30 through June 27 (pp. 52-67)
- Novel Summary: 7. Crusoe's Journal, June 28 through September 30
- Novel Summary: 8. "The rainy Season."
- Novel Summary: 9. "I was now, in the Months of November and December."
- Novel Summary: 10. "But all this while."
- Novel Summary: 11. "I had now been here so long."
- Novel Summary: 12. "I improv'd my self in this time."
- Novel Summary: 13. "I was something impatient."
- Novel Summary: 14. "Things going on thus."
- Novel Summary: 15. "I believe the Reader of this will not think strange."
- Novel Summary: 16. "I have been in all my Circumstances."
- Novel Summary: 17. "After I had been two or three Days."
- Novel Summary: 18. "After Friday and I became."
- Novel Summary: 19. "The rainy Season."
- Novel Summary: 20. "Having now Society enough."
- Novel Summary: 21. "All I shew'd them."
- Novel Summary: 22. "When we had talk'd a while."
- Character Profiles
- Metaphor Analysis
- Theme Analysis
- Top Ten Quotes
- Biography: Daniel Defoe
- Essay Q&A
Robinson Crusoe Study Guide
Choose to Continue- Preface
- 1. "I was born."
- 2. "As my new Patron."
- 3. "The generous Treatment."
- 4. "After I had solac'd my Mind."
- 5. "My Thoughts were now wholly employ'd."
- 6. Crusoe’s Journal, September 30 through June 27 (pp. 52-67)
- 7. Crusoe's Journal, June 28 through September 30
- 8. "The rainy Season."
- 9. "I was now, in the Months of November and December."
- 10. "But all this while."
- 11. "I had now been here so long."
- 12. "I improv'd my self in this time."
- 13. "I was something impatient."
- 14. "Things going on thus."
- 15. "I believe the Reader of this will not think strange."
- 16. "I have been in all my Circumstances."
- 17. "After I had been two or three Days."
- 18. "After Friday and I became."
- 19. "The rainy Season."
- 20. "Having now Society enough."
- 21. "All I shew'd them."
- 22. "When we had talk'd a while."
- Character Profiles
- Metaphor Analysis
- Theme Analysis
- Top Ten Quotes
- Daniel Defoe
- Essay Q&A
Our Networks