Robinson Crusoe can be considered a spiritual autobiography, a story of a man’s spiritual pilgrimage, from reprobate through regret and faith to devout man of God. Indeed, it is possible to trace Robinson’s progress from a state of sin to a state of grace, “a rebellion-punishment-repentance-deliverance sequence described from the earliest moment of Christendom as characteristic of fallen men who are accorded God’s grace” (Hunter 252). The spiritual autobiography usually includes some elements that are typical of the Puritan drama, known “as the drama of the soul”, which many scholars consider “educational, inspiring, and productive of greater piety and higher morality” (Hunter 251-252). Consequently, Crusoe serves the purpose of demonstrating
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Indeed, when he finds himself alone in the island, Crusoe realizes that his blessings are much more than his misfortunes, and, therefore, he starts thanking God for having saved him from death. However, the turning point of Crusoe’s spiritual conversion happens when he gets sick and casually opens the Bible and reads: “Call me in the Day of Trouble, and I will deliver, and thou shalt glorify me” (Shinagel 69). Indeed, after reading this passage, he starts to convince himself that, although he is alone, he can be happier on this island than in any other parts of the world.
After this first step, Crusoe’s faith keeps increasing until he finds a foot print in the sand and, scared of the possible presence of cannibals, starts questioning himself; indeed, he says:
"[he] had now liv'd two Years under these Uneasinesses, which indeed made [his] life much less comfortable than it was before; as may well be imagin'd by any who know what it is to live in the constant Snare of the Fear of Man. . ." (Shinagel, …show more content…
After highlighting this “bottom-up” key-concept about religion, Defoe expresses his Puritan values. Indeed, he begins to blame the Church, both Anglican and Catholic, by claiming and exalting the uselessness of religious institutions. Therefore, by the end of the novel, Crusoe convinces himself that the only necessary thing to discover God is one’s mind and the Bible.
The second religious reality that Crusoe becomes acquainted with is the importance of religious tolerance in our lives. When trying to convert Friday, indeed, Crusoe realizes that being tolerant of other people’s thoughts is necessary to eliminate most of the conflicts around the world; furthermore, he also recognizes the limits of his religion. For instance, when Friday asks him, “If God much stronger, much might as the wicked devil, why God no kill the devil, so make him no more do wicked?”(Shinagel 158), Crusoe pretends not to hear, even though he knows that it is impossible to answer his question. Therefore, he realizes that cannot persuade Friday to believe that his God is superior to Benamuckee, Friday’s God, because all religions present some lacks. However, the most essential thing is that both of them believe in God,
Indeed, when he finds himself alone in the island, Crusoe realizes that his blessings are much more than his misfortunes, and, therefore, he starts thanking God for having saved him from death. However, the turning point of Crusoe’s spiritual conversion happens when he gets sick and casually opens the Bible and reads: “Call me in the Day of Trouble, and I will deliver, and thou shalt glorify me” (Shinagel 69). Indeed, after reading this passage, he starts to convince himself that, although he is alone, he can be happier on this island than in any other parts of the world.
After this first step, Crusoe’s faith keeps increasing until he finds a foot print in the sand and, scared of the possible presence of cannibals, starts questioning himself; indeed, he says:
"[he] had now liv'd two Years under these Uneasinesses, which indeed made [his] life much less comfortable than it was before; as may well be imagin'd by any who know what it is to live in the constant Snare of the Fear of Man. . ." (Shinagel, …show more content…
After highlighting this “bottom-up” key-concept about religion, Defoe expresses his Puritan values. Indeed, he begins to blame the Church, both Anglican and Catholic, by claiming and exalting the uselessness of religious institutions. Therefore, by the end of the novel, Crusoe convinces himself that the only necessary thing to discover God is one’s mind and the Bible.
The second religious reality that Crusoe becomes acquainted with is the importance of religious tolerance in our lives. When trying to convert Friday, indeed, Crusoe realizes that being tolerant of other people’s thoughts is necessary to eliminate most of the conflicts around the world; furthermore, he also recognizes the limits of his religion. For instance, when Friday asks him, “If God much stronger, much might as the wicked devil, why God no kill the devil, so make him no more do wicked?”(Shinagel 158), Crusoe pretends not to hear, even though he knows that it is impossible to answer his question. Therefore, he realizes that cannot persuade Friday to believe that his God is superior to Benamuckee, Friday’s God, because all religions present some lacks. However, the most essential thing is that both of them believe in God,