|
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe (about
1660 - 1731)
In Chapter 33, you learned about the Age of Exploration, which
lasted from about 1418 to 1620. During this time, European explorers made many
daring voyages that led to new and greater knowledge about the world.
Many sailors set off on their journeys from seaports in northern Europe. By the
16th century, some coastal towns--such as London and Liverpool in England, and
Antwerp and Amsterdam in Holland--had become busy city ports. These cities
handled ships and goods coming to Europe from many distant lands. In these
great seaboard cities, the waterfront was the most important and colorful part
of town. Imagine the scene: great docks with ships at anchor, large warehouses
surrounding the harbor, and sailors from all over the world busily unloading
their goods.
The famous shipwrecked sailor Robinson Crusoe began his fateful journey from a
busy English port in Daniel Defoe's book Robinson Crusoe. Defoe, an
English writer, based parts of his story on the lives of real sailors. In the
novel, Crusoe goes to sea against his family's wishes and is shipwrecked on a
desert island. But he is not the only one on the island. There are also
cannibals and a native, a man who Crusoe rescues and who becomes his servant,
Man Friday.
Below is an excerpt from Chapter 2 of Robinson Crusoe. Crusoe has been
on the island only a short time and has not yet met anyone else. He has started
to keep a daily journal. What challenges did Crusoe face? Why do you think he
became a sailor if it was so dangerous?
Excerpt from Robinson Crusoe
June 17. I spent in cooking the Turtle; I found in her threescore [60] Eggs;
and her Flesh was to me at that Time the most savoury and pleasant that ever I
tasted in my Life, having had no Flesh, but of Goats and Fowls, since I landed
in this horrid Place.
June 18. Rain'd all Day, and I stay'd within. I thought at this Time the Rain
felt Cold, and I was something chilly, which I knew was not usual in that
Latitude.
June 19. Very ill, and shivering, as if the Weather had been cold.
June 20. No Rest all Night, violent Pains in my Head, and feaverish.
June 21. Very ill, frighted almost to Death with the Apprehensions [worries] of
my sad Condition, to be sick, and no Help: Pray'd to GOD for the first Time
since the Storm off of Hull, but scarce knew what I said, or why; my Thoughts
being all confused.
June 22. A little better, but under dreadful Apprehensions of Sickness.
June 23. Very bad again, cold and shivering, and then a violent Head-ach.
June 24. Much better.
June 25. An Ague [shivering] very violent; the Fit [a sudden attack of illness]
held me seven Hours, cold Fit and hot, with faint Sweats after it.
June 26. Better; and having no Victuals [food] to eat, took my Gun, but found
myself very weak; however I kill'd a She-Goat, and with much Difficulty got it
Home, and broil'd some of it, and eat; I wou'd fain have stew'd it, and made
some Broath, but had no Pot.
Investigating Literature
Pretend you are a European sailor during the Age of Exploration. You have
joined an expedition to the "New World." Write a journal that describes the
highlights of your journey. Follow these guidelines:
-
• Your journal should include at least three dated entries.
-
• The first entry should describe the beginning of your trip. Include
information about where you are leaving from, where you are going, and why you
have become a sailor.
-
• Include two entries about your adventures during the trip. You may
chose to become shipwrecked like Crusoe or to successfully sail to your
destination. Include information about your physical surroundings as well as
some of your thoughts about your
-
• Use correct grammar and spelling.
History Alive! The Medieval World and Beyond, Investigating Literature
|
