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How does Robinson Crusoe survive after being shipwrecked?
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Daniel Defoe
Daniel Defoe, engraving by M. Van der Gucht, after a portrait by J. Taverner, first half of the 18th century.
After being shipwrecked on a desolate island, the fictional character Robinson Crusoe relies on his practical intelligence and resourcefulness to survive for 28 years. His survival strategy involves several key actions:1
- Salvaging: He recovers what he can from the wreckage of his ship to establish a base.23
- Shelter and Sustenance: He constructs increasingly permanent lodging and secures food by hunting goats and cultivating barley in the tropical soil.3
- Documentation: He maintains a detailed journal to record his daily experiences and activities.2
- Spiritual and Practical Life: He balances his physical survival efforts with spiritual reflection.2
Over time, his life on the island changes when he rescues a captive from a group of native people, whom he names Friday. Crusoe teaches Friday to speak English and converts him to Christianity, forming a close, albeit complex, companionship. Eventually, Crusoe and Friday help seize a ship, which allows them to depart the island and return to England.23