English Literature books summary

calendar by marking a large wooden post. He is very happy to have some pen

and paper, three Bibles, two cats and a dog, all from the ship. The work

upon his home is tedious without proper tools, but he improvises. After

all, he has nothing else to occupy his time. To comfort himself the

narrator makes a list of pros and cons about his shipwreck. Ultimately he

decides to be joyous because God has delivered and provided for him. He is

raising a wall around his home. After about a year and a half, he has

rafters and a thatched roof. Robinson realizes there is nothing he wants

that he can't make: thus he creates entrance and exit to his home, table

and chairs that he might truly enjoy writing and reading. The narrator

begins a journal, in which he documents his initial misery, and all of his

tasks and duties that he performs in acclimating to the island. A scheduled

routine forms for his hunting and building. Every animal he kills, he keeps

the skins and hangs them as ornaments. Robinson goes about the business of

making chests to store his provisions, as well as tools such as a

wheelbarrow. The cave/cellar appears to be finished when a quantity of

earth falls from the ceiling; Crusoe repairs this. He builds storage

shelves to create "order within doors." A more solid fence begins to form

around his dwelling. The narrator takes frequent walks and discovers

pigeons, a very good meat. The darkness is his greatest annoyance; he

decides to make candles from the tallow of slaughtered goats. While

emptying sacks from the ship, Robinson shakes out come pieces of corn.

After the rains, husks of barley appear. The narrator is astounded and

thanks God. He manages to plant some rice as well.

Robinson builds a ladder to the entrance of his home. While in his

cave/cellar, an earthquake occurs and much of the walls crumble. He is

frightened and prays profusely. It rains violently. He resolves to move his

tent a bit to prevent untimely death from other earthquakes. Pieces of the

shipwreck wash up on shore. Robinson gathers them to use on his new home.

He finds a large tortoise that provides a good meal. Soon he falls ill and

has chills for many days. The narrator sleeps restlessly and has nightmares

about dark men coming to kill him. He reflects once more on how good God

has been to him, and assumes that this sickness is a punishment for not

realizing this goodness sooner. He regrets not listening to his father.

Robinson prays what he refers to as his "first prayer." He makes a homemade

remedy in the form of rum, tobacco and water. When his sickness grows worse

he wonders what he has done to deserve this. His conscience answers that he

has led a "dreadful misspent life." Robinson takes up reading the Bible. He

becomes better.

Part 4 Summary:

It takes some weeks for Robinson to recover his full strength. He

marvels at this deliverance from sickness. More serious reading of the

Bible commences. The narrator now looks at his past life with complete

horror. His thoughts are directed to a "higher nature." The rainy season is

dangerous to his health, so he spends little time walking about. Crusoe's

habitation is set; he feels that he wants to explore the rest of the

island. When the weather improves, he goes about and sees many meadows. He

also finds some tobacco growing. In the woods there is fruit growing in

great abundance, and a spring of fresh water. Robinson tries to being fruit

back, but he is gone so long it spoils. He resolves to try again. Returning

to his home, Crusoe finds that some of his grapes have been trod upon.

There must be wild creatures thereabouts. He hangs the remaining grapes to

dry them into raisins. Robinson loves the wilder part of the island so

dearly that he resumes his thoughts of a new habitation, and decides to

simply build another one and have two homes: a "sea coast house" and a

"country house." He finishes in time for the next rainy season. His cats

are breeding with wild cats on the island, so he is forced to kill some of

them, that his food supply is not entirely diminished. The year anniversary

of his arrival is unhappy. He prays again to God.

He has learned the rainy season from the dry season, and decides to

plant crops of rice and corn. The first crop is a good one, so Robinson

extends the arable land. He busies himself with the farming and with making

finer household items, like baskets. He moves frequently between his two

homes. His greatest desire at the moment is for a pipe. On an exceptionally

clear day, he spies a line of land, but he cannot be sure where it is. He

is sure, however, that the inhabitants are cannibalistic savages. He

discovers more animals on his rambles around the island. Many times the

narrator sleeps outdoors, in trees to protect himself. When he comes home,

however, he is always very happy. He has tamed a parrot and a young goat,

who follow him endlessly. The two year anniversary arrives, and it is still

solemn, but with much more joy in Robinson's heart. His desires in life are

completely altered. He decides he can be more happy in this existence than

in his previous one. Scripture reading is done daily and methodically. The

narrator finds that his crops are being eaten by birds. He shoots one and

uses it successfully as a scarecrow. The next goal is to try and make

bread. His parrot Poll now talks.

Robinson makes some very good pots and jars. He then forms a stone

mortar to beat the corn into meal, and a sieve to dress it. Over hot embers

he bakes the batter and gets corn bread. This new technique leads to an

enlargement of the barns, to hold more corn.

Part 5 Summary:

Robinson is growing curious about the land on the other side of the

island. He believes from there he might spot a mainland and obtain escape.

Yet he does not think about falling into the hands of savages. The narrator

wishes for Xury and the boat they sailed. He resolves to try and repair the

wrecked ship's boat, but it sinks repeatedly. He then decides to build his

own boat. Crusoe is unsure as to how he will get the boat off land, but

decides to worry about this later. In retrospect this is referred to as

"preposterous method" of work. The boat is well-made, but Robinson is

unable to get it to the water due to its weight. The only way is to build a

canal to the ocean, which will take a long while. The fourth anniversary

comes, and Crusoe observes it with respect, marveling that there is no

wickedness here. Ironically, all the money he has is worthless--he longs

for a tobacco pipe or a handmill. He reflects upon the goodness of

Providence, and spends much time remembering important dates in his life.

Robinson's clothes have begun to wither. He manages to use the skins

of creatures he has killed to make a "sorry shift." The skins keep him very

dry in the rain, so he decides to make an umbrella. He also makes another

boat, small enough that he can get it to the water. In the sixth year of

his "reign or captivity," he sets out on a voyage around the island. The

current is strong and sweeps him away from the island. Crusoe begins to

fear that he will not be able to return. Gradually the wind changes, and

the narrator immediately goes back to shore, drops to his knees, and thanks

God. He is able to reach his country house by nightfall. He is terribly

frightened to hear a voice calling his name, asking where he is, until he

sees it is the parrot Poll. For the next year Robinson lives a quiet,

sedate life. He perfects his carpentry skills and is able to make a wheel

tool to aid in his building. His powder supply is decreasing, so he begins

to set traps to catch the goats and have his own flock. Eleven years have

past. The goats provide him with milk, from which the narrator is able to

make butter and cheese. He now dines like a "king among his subjects."

Still the narrator longs to sail around the island, but he is afraid of

being swept away. Thus he decides to have a boat on either side of the

island. One day going to visit his boat, he spies a man's footprint near

it. Robinson is thunderstruck with fear: it must be a savage from nearby

lands. He wonders if there are on the island, if it is the mark of the

devil. His religious hope is abating. But the narrator resolves to let God

decide--if he is not to be delivered from the evil, so be it.

Part 6 Summary:

Robinson begins to think that he might have made the footprint

himself; this makes him bolder and he goes out again to milk his goats. But

he walks with incredible fear, always looking behind him. He concludes that

since he has not seen anyone in fifteen years, the people must come from

abroad in boats. He wants to hide himself even more, so he reinforces his

walls and plants groves of trees that develop into a forest in six years

time. He moves his goats to a more remote location and divides them into

two groups. Crusoe makes his way to the shore opposite to the one on which

he landed, and finds it littered with human bones. His fear of

cannibalistic savages is confirmed. He thanks God that he was not eaten and

that he is distinguished from these people whom he sees as abhorrent.

Gradually the narrator becomes comfortable again, but he is cautious about

firing his gun, and prefers to tend his livestock, so he does not have to

hunt. Aside from this, he sets his mind to other tasks, such as learning to

make beer.

Crusoe is not fearful but vengeful. He longs for the chance to hurt

these savages and save the victims. Several times he imagines the proper

mode of ambush and attack. He picks the exact sniper spots. A daily tour

commences to look out for approaching ships. He then steps back, however,

and wonders if it is his place to engage in violence with people who have

not done him any personal harm, and who are most likely killing prisoners

of war. Robinson debates with himself and concludes that he should leave

them to the justice of God. He continues his secluded life and is once more

thankful for his deliverance. Occasionally he is frightened by strange

sounds, and he is still cautious. But the narrator tells himself that if he

is not fit to face the devil, he could not have lived twenty years alone on

the island. Time continues passing. Robinson spends time with his parrot

and his various animals. One day, he is stunned to see a fire on his side

of the island--the savages are back. He sees they have two canoes from a

lookout point, but he does not dare approach them. When the tide returns

they leave. Crusoe is horrified at the human remains on the shore. Once

again he wants to destroy the savages when they return. When the twenty-

fourth anniversary passes, Robinson spies the wreck of a Spanish ship

drifting towards the island. His heart is lightened by the thought that

there might be a survivor. He hastens to his boat, gathers provisions, and

rows out to the wreck. Aside from a yelping dog, he finds no one living.

Crusoe takes the dog, along with some liquor, clothing and money, back to

the island with him.

Part 7 Summary:

The narrator resumes his quiet steady life. He always thinks upon the

goodness of Providence. But he is haunted by dreams of savages. In this

time the narrator has thought that upon saving the life of a captive or a

savage himself, he might be able to make him his companion and obtain

escape from the island. Only now does he realize how lonely he has been.

Crusoe waits patiently, and after a year and a half he is rewarded by the

appearance of five canoes on shore. Against twenty or thirty men, he

wonders how he will fight. He spies two "miserable wretches" being pulled

from the boat. As one is beaten and cut open for the feast, the other

manages to run away, towards Robinson. He fetches his two guns and goes to

save "the creature's" life. He manages to shoot the two men pursuing the

prisoner. The prisoner then begins to bow to the narrator and rest his head

on his foot. He is amazed that his enemies are dead. Apparently he has

never seen a gun. Together they bury the bodies. Robinson gives the man

bread, raisins and water, who then falls asleep. He is a good-looking

youth, about twenty-six years old, but he does not speak English. Robinson

manages to tell the man that his name is Friday, and that he should call

the narrator Master. When they go out and reach the graves of the two men,

Friday makes signs that they should eat the bodies. Crusoe becomes very

angry and leads away the docile Friday. He still hungers for flesh, but the

narrator makes him understand that he will be killed if he eats other men.

Friday is dressed in his master's image. He becomes a most devoted

manservant. The relationship is very loving. Robinson seeks to make Friday

civilized with everything from eating habits to religious teachings. He

teaches him how to use guns and roast goats. Crusoe is having a wonderful

time.

A year goes by in this pleasant way. Friday learns broken English. He

manages to tell Robinson that they are near the Caribbean, and that they

would need a big boat to get back to his homeland. The narrator begins to

teach about the Christian God. Friday does not understand why the Devil

cannot be beaten if God is stronger. Robinson makes him understand that all

must be given the chance to repent and be pardoned. Explaining this makes

Crusoe even more full of faith because he clears up his own ideas. Friday

tells him that there are white men living peaceably on his native land.

When the weather is clear, Friday rejoices at seeing his homeland in the

distance. Robinson worries that he might return there and resume his old

habits. Thus he is jealous. But Friday assures him that he only wants to

return so that he can teach the others. He says that Crusoe would have to

come with him, though, or he would not be able to leave. He cannot even

bear for Crusoe to send him to the continent first--they have lived in

harmony for three years. Together they manage to build a big boat. Robinson

sets the adventure for the post-rain months of November and December.

Part 8 Summary:

Before Friday and Robinson can make their journey, three canoes arrive

on the island. Friday panics. Robinson provides him with some rum, and they

gather their weapons. Crusoe is not worried; they are "naked, unarmed

wretches" who are subservient to him. The savages have prisoners. As Friday

and Robinson approach, they are eating the flesh of one. A white-bearded

man of European descent is a prisoner. The narrator is horrified and

enraged, for he thought those men lived peaceably with Friday's people.

Against nineteen men Friday and Crusoe wage battle, Friday always copying

the moves of his master. In the chaos, the prisoners are freed. One of them

is a Spaniard. The narrator enlists his help in shooting his captors.

Together the three of them manage to kill most of the savages. The

remaining ones run to two of the canoes and hastily row away, never again

to return to the island. In the third canoe another man is founded, bound

and gagged. Friday is ecstatic--it is his father. The reunion is joyous,

and the narrator is very touched. They give the prisoners bread and water.

Friday and Robinson make them some beds. Crusoe is very happy that "his

island is now peopled," and he is "rich in its subjects." He considers

himself the rightful lord. Talking with the Spaniard, Robinson learns that

more of his men are living with the savages, but in peace. The narrator

would like to join these Europeans, but he fears being a prisoner in New

Spain and being sent to the Inquisition. The Spaniard assures him this

would not happen. He is so impressed with Robinson's island that he wants

to bring the rest of his men there to live. Everyone works to increase the

livestock and crops in preparation. Finally the Spaniard and Friday's

father are sent back in the canoe to gather the men.

As Friday and Robinson await their return, they spy another ship close

to shore. It appears to be an English boat. Some men row to the island.

Three of them are prisoners. The seamen are running about, trying to

explore this strange place. Robinson dearly wishes that the Spaniard and

Friday's father were here to help fight. While the seamen sleep, Crusoe and

Friday approach the prisoners, who see them as God-sent. They learn from

one that he is the captain of the ship, and his crew has mutinied. They

want to leave him with the first mate and a passenger to perish. Robinson

says he will try to save them on two conditions: that they pretend no

authority on the island, and that if the battle is won, that they take

Friday and himself to England passage-free. It is agreed. They are able to

surprise everyone on land, killing some and granting mercy to those who beg

for their lives. Crusoe tells the captain of his life on the island. The

captain is visibly moved. Next they want to recover the ship. On the water

they hear shots. With the aid of a binocular-type instrument, they see

another small boat of men approaching. The captain says only a few can be

trusted; the chief organizer of the mutiny is in the boat. Robinson

marshals his "troops," consisting of Friday and the prisoners. They wait to

start the battle.

Part 9 Summary:

The boat of men lands on shore. They examine the first, broken boat.

Shots go off to try and find the other crew members. Robinson and his army

wait for a while. Just as the men are going to leave, the narrator bids

Friday and the first mate to holler from an area of rising ground within

his sight. The men run back eagerly. Two stay in the boat. Crusoe and the

others surprise them and quickly get them to join their side. The other men

are looking for the calls. Friday and the mate lead them astray until dark.

They return to the boat and are stunned when they find the other two men

gone. In the midst of their surprise Robinson and the army attack. Two men

are killed outright. The captain tells the rest to surrender by order of

the governor, Crusoe. Arms are laid down and the men are rounded up as

prisoners and divided up. Some are taken to the goat pasture, some to the

cave, where the first prisoners lay. Except for the worst of the crew, they

all pledge their undying devotion to the captain. In the guise of the

governor's assistant, Crusoe tells them that if they mutiny or go back on

their word, they will be killed. The captain goes out with his men in a

boat and is able to reclaim his large ship. He kills the head of the

mutiny, and they hang his body from a tree on the island. The captain

immediately hands over the ship to Crusoe. Crusoe embraces the captain as

his deliverer. He dresses in new clothing from the ship and poses as the

Governor. He addresses the untrustworthy prisoners, and tells them they can

either stay on the island or return to England and be hanged. They choose

to stay on the isle. Robinson takes time to show them where all his

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