In “Robinson Crusoe”, Daniel Defoe uses biblical allegories and allusions, as well as the titular character’s constantly changing devotion to God to show his view that belief in a higher power leads to success. Through supporting characters and their differing beliefs, Defoe expands upon this idea to claim that religious belief of any kind, not just Crusoe’s Christianity, is beneficial.
In the very beginning of the novel, through a fictional editor’s preface, Defoe tells the reader directly that the story is to be used for “the Instruction of others by this Example, and to justify and honour the Wisdom of Providence” (Defoe 3). This alerts the reader right from the start to the religious themes and morals included in the rest of the book. Immediately afterward, and now from Crusoe’s own perspective, Defoe likens Crusoe to the prodigal son, through description and direct reference. Crusoe is shown to be the third son of a comfortably wealthy family, the same as the Biblical character (Defoe 5). His father warns him not to leave the comfortable life he has set up for him, but Crusoe refuses to listen (Defoe ). Here, his father is not only an allegorical character representing the prodigal son’s father; he also represents the Wisdom of Providence, as Defoe refers to it, itself. His warning to Crusoe not to
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But right afterwards, he forgets this vow he made to God and sets sail again. The quick change in Crusoe’s thinking is meant to be relatable to all who attempt to be faithful to a higher power but only remember to be reverent in times of hardship (Macy 14). The reason Defoe shows Crusoe failing in this way is to demonstrate an improper way to deal with hardships that stand in the way of religious