How Was Crusoe Turned into a Slave from a Merchant?
Robinson Crusoe is a notable literary work by Daniel Defoe. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of Robinson Crusoe.
Answer
How was Crusoe turned into a slave from a merchant?
“Robinson Crusoe” (1719) by Daniel Defoe (1660-1731) is a classic adventure novel that chronicles the life of its protagonist, Robinson Crusoe. The story takes readers through various phases of Crusoe’s life. It highlights his transition from a hopeful merchant to a helpless slave.
Becoming a Merchant: Robinson Crusoe began his journey as a merchant, driven by a desire for adventure and wealth. He set sail on a ship to trade goods and make a name for himself in the world of commerce. His early ventures showed promise, and he was optimistic about his future as a successful trader.
Capture and Enslavement: Crusoe’s fortunes drastically turned when he encountered pirates during one of his voyages. These pirates captured his ship, and Crusoe found himself at the mercy of these ruthless men. Stripped of his freedom and possessions, Crusoe was taken as a slave to Sallee, a port in Morocco. Crusoe says:
we were obliged to yield, and were carried all prisoners into Sallee, a port belonging to the Moors.
This sudden and harsh change from a free-spirited merchant to a powerless slave was a significant blow to Crusoe. It shattered his dreams and subjected him to a life of servitude.
Life as a Slave: As a slave, Crusoe faced numerous challenges and hardships. He was forced to work tirelessly under the command of his master. It reveals the harsh realities of slavery. Despite these conditions, Crusoe’s resilience began to shine through. He devised a plan to escape:
This moment my former notions of deliverance darted into my thoughts, for now I found I was likely to have a little ship at my command;
In conclusion, Robinson Crusoe’s transformation from a merchant to a slave is pivotal in the novel. It mentions the unpredictable nature of life and the strength of the human spirit.