Daniel Defoe

a cura di D.P. Madrigali 
 
 Robinson Crusoe, considered to be the first English novel, is the story of a young and rich Englishman with two passions in life: the sea and adventure. But after several voyages and adventures all over the world, a shipwreck takes him, the only survivor, onto a desert island. Here he lives for 28 years, writing a diary in which he narrates all his experiences.
 In his last years there he meets a native, Friday, who becomes Robinson’s faithful servant. Eventually, he manages to return to England where he finds out that he has become rich thanks to his Brazilian plantation.
 The book presents in-depth analyses on the origin and development of the novel, journalism and the rise of the middle class. 
 
 Teacher's Resources available online: Answer Key - Audioscripts - Key to Summing-up Activities.
 
 Considerato il capostipite del romanzo moderno, Robinson Crusoe è la storia di un giovane e ricco inglese attratto da due grandi amori: il mare e l’avventura. Tuttavia, dopo una serie di viaggi in diverse parti del mondo, un naufragio lo porta ad essere l’unico sopravvissuto su un’isola deserta. Qui vivrà 28 anni, scrivendo un diario in cui racconta tutte le sue avventure. Ritornerà in Inghilterra scoprendo di essere diventato ricco grazie alla sua piantagione brasiliana.

Chapter 1 – Robinson at sea

Extension: The origin of the novel

Chapter 2 – Shipwreck

Extension: Slavery

Chapter 3 – On a desert island

Extension: The middle class

Chapter 4 – Life on the island

Extension: Journalism

Chapter 5 – Other human beings

Extension: The rise of the novel

Chapter 6 – Back home

Extension: Robinson Crusoe at the cinema

Summing-up activities

Glossary

E X T E N S I O N THE RISE OF THE NOVEL 1 In the 18th century the most used literary form was the novel. Thanks to the works of Daniel Defoe (Robinson Crusoe, Moll Flanders), Jonathan Swift (Gulliver s Travels), Samuel Richardson (Pamela) and Henry Fielding (Tom Jones), it became very popular. The novel was not a completely new literary form but the modern novel was new because of some characteristics which appeared for the first time. For example, it was based on real life. The characters were real people with common names who were described in a realistic way in their daily routines and actions. Sometimes it was the protagonist of the novel who narrated the story (first person narration) so that it seemed even more realistic. There were a lot of precise descriptions of the external environment2, of habits3, time, geographical places, social and historical events. Great importance was given to the individual who fought for his economic independence and to become rich. The language was clear and direct so that people could read it easily. The readers were principally members of the middle class who identified with the protagonists. The success of novels and the growing4 number of readers were also due to the fact that novels were not expensive, that circulating5 libraries existed and that the novels were often published in a serialized6 form in magazines or journals. In fact Robinson Crusoe was first published in this way in the journal Original London Post. Jonathan Swift Samuel Richardson 1. novel: a long prose fiction story of characters and their actions in  modern  situations. 2. environment: situation, location. 3. 4. 5. 6. 58 Henry Fielding habits: way of life. growing: rising, more and more. circulating: moving around. serialized: published in parts. 

6  Back home Chapter BEFORE READING 1 Making predictions. Read the title of Chapter 6. a. b. c. d. 2 3 How can Robinson come back home? ............................................................ What will he do in England? .................................................................................. What kind of life will he have? ............................................................................. Will Friday go with Robinson? ............................................................................... The following words refer to Chapter 6. Match them to their definitions. a. obey c 1. To go away from a dangerous situation. b. jump c 2. Strong building and wall to defend a place. c. tears c 3. Area of land that is used for growing crops or keeping animals. d. scared c 4. To do what a person or law says that you must do. e. farm c 5. When soldiers stop fighting and admit they are defeated. f. escape c 6. Move your body up and down using your legs. g. surrender c 7. Liquid that comes from your eyes when you cry. h. fortification c 8. Frightened or worried. Write the corresponding adjective of nationality next to each country or continent. a. c. e. g. England b. d. f. h. ..................................... Portugal ..................................... Germany ..................................... Europe ..................................... 59 Spain ..................................... Brazil ..................................... Africa ..................................... Turkey ..................................... 

Robinson Crusoe, capostipite del romanzo moderno, racconta le avventure di un naufrago su un'isola deserta per 28 anni, tra mare, diario e ricchezze.

Robinson Crusoe Collana RAINBOWS

Level A2 • Elementary - Collana RAINBOWS

Robinson Crusoe

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