2。1。1 Researches of the Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe abroad 3

2。1。2 Domestic Researches of the Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe 3

2。2 Researches of Religious Background of Daniel Defoe in 17th Century 4

3。 Robinson’s Drifting 5

3。1 The Definition of “Drifting” 5

3。2 The Understanding of Robinson’s Drifting from Literal Meaning 5

3。3 The Understanding of Robinson’s Drifting from Spiritual Meaning 6

4。 Robinson’s Returning 8

4。1 The Definition of “Returning” 8

4。2 The Returning of Robinson’s Belief 8

5。 Conclusion 10

References 11

1。 Introduction

1。1 Brief Introduction of Daniel Defoe

According to Wikipedia, Defoe is noted for being one of the earliest proponents of the novel, as he helped to popularize the form in Britain with others such as Samuel Richardson, and is among the founders of the English novel。 As a prolific and versatile writer, he produced more than five hundred books, pamphlets, and journals on various topics, like politics, religion and so on。 The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe is one of his successful novels, often credited as marking the beginning of realistic fiction as a literary genre。 This paper will interpret the novel out of religious view, so some religious background information about the author and the novel will be introduced first。

1。1。1 Defoe's View on Religion and Its Formation

    Daniel Defoe was a convinced Protestant, and more accurately, he was a Presbyterian (Presbyterianism, a branch of Reformed Protestantism, derived from the Reformation)。 He abided by Presbyterianism including Scripture alone, grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone and to God alone be the glory。 In his long poem The Mediation of Daniel Defoe, he expressed his fidelity and unswerving faith to God。 Just like Robinson Crusoe, he praised God and prayed to God in times of pain, struggle and despair。 (Guo Jianzhong, 2013) 

Summarized from Guo Jianzhong’s book specialized in Daniel Defoe, the formation of Defoe’s view on religion is mainly influenced by three factors: the Protestant Reformation, the religious background of his family and the education he received。 The Protestant Reformation started at the beginning of 16th century。 It proceeded thoroughly and rapidly in the north of Europe。 However, in England, the situation was in the contrast that the Reformation as intermittent and compromised。 Caesaropapism is one manifestation of its compromise, which leaded to Puritanism coming into being。 It’s necessary to be noted that the Church of England, the product of the Reformation in England, also belongs to Protestantism, as well as Puritanism。 Moreover, Puritans belonged to nonconformists because they did not “conform” to the governance and usages of the established Church of England。 At that time, nonconformists didn't have complete civil rights。 They had no opportunity to enter into traditional universities like Oxford or Cambridge。 Defoe was born in a Presbyterian family and grew up in the Presbyterian atmosphere。 His father, also a convinced Presbyterian, delivered Presbyterian values and morals to his children。 Under his father’s arrangement, Defoe studied in Presbyterian schools, where he gradually established and strengthened his belief。论文网