I am an Island
The quest for the meaning of life has preoccupied philosophers, theologians and authors since the beginning of the written word. How does man find his place in the world, understand himself, and obtain peace with his God? Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe finds his answer only in solitude, in isolation from the distractions and static of the civilized world. The novel focuses on a single man, whose few companions are presented only as bit parts in the chief protagonist's journey, and who ultimately completes his journey of discovery in a location that is a perfect metaphor for his quest: an isolated tropical island. Crusoe is first presented as a young man who has everything, but finds himself unhappy and unfulfilled. Against his parents' wishes he abandons this comfortable middle class existence in search of fulfillment. His quest leads him all over the world, and as travels, his segregation increases. Defoe appears to intentionally leave all supporting characters unformed. Their lack of depth forces the focus on Crusoe
The island is a metaphor for Crusoe's spiritual solitude and unformed character. In isolation and rid of the world's static, the island enables Crusoe to find what is essential. God has put before man all that he needs, the building blocks from which man must construct the means to survive. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ When Crusoe first comes to the island he despairs over his situation. Crusoe sees the island as a miserable place, a place of captivity. He feels that he is in hell: "I walk'd about on the shore, lifting up my hands, and my whole being, as I may say, wrapt up in contemplation of my deliverance" (33.) Yet on this "Island of Despair", the very isolation that so distresses him enables Crusoe to complete his quest. Here he can find the answers he has been looking for. His revelation, the pinnacle of his journey, arises from the simple observation of seeds growing. This observation is made possible only by the very loneliness he decries. In examining the signif
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Approximate Word count = 697
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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