Don't Be A Victim, Robinson Crusoe!

            Travel or adventure literature of the seventeenth century is characterized by its lack of a central theme (Hunter 341). In order to distinguish Robinson Crusoe from these genres, Daniel Defoe used thematic, chronological events to develop a central theme. He wished to show that his protagonist, Robinson Crusoe, could move from the role of a victim of God's providence to one who allows it to empower him as an entirely submissive Christian man.
             In the beginning of this story, Robinson Crusoe decides to be a sailor against his Father's wishes and without his blessing. While on his first trip, a storm starts to blow and Crusoe becomes extremely scared and admits "I was terrif'd in my Mind: I began now seriously to reflect upon what I had done, and how justly I was overtaken by the Judgement of Heaven for abandoning my Duty to God and my Father- (Defoe 7). However, Crusoe does not give any credit to God for concocting the storm or for saving him from it. .
             After Crusoe is shipwrecked on a deserted island, he begins to reflect on his condition and how miserable and without hope he is. George Starr observes, "With as yet no sense that he is an object either of Providential chastisement or care, Crusoe's initial reaction to his situation is one of despondence- (Starr 328). Robinson Crusoe considers it a "Determination of Heaven- that this island is where his life should end. He wonders to himself that if there were a God, and He would let His creatures suffer like this, why would any of them want to be thankful for the life He'd given them? (Defoe 47). Crusoe is blaming his misfortunes and hardships on the providence of heaven. To the reader, it seems that chances are slim that he will start to believe that God's providence will work toward any good in his life.
             Early on, Crusoe almost starts to think that God has blessed him and is watching over him when he discovers that some barley is growing under a rock (Defoe 58).