Realism

As an important work of its period, it has the most concrete examples of realism
The names of the characters, the class of the characters, the names of the places mentioned in the
book, the connection of the events with real life, are all examples of realism
Most importantly, the shaping of the behavior of the characters under the conditions of the period is
one of the other examples that are quite concrete
The diaries that stand as part of the book inside the book were put in to increase the realism effect of
the story
The fact that everything Robinson does in the story is told to the smallest detail is another element that
increases the realism effect
In the preface of the novel, the events are described as being “just history of fact. This sets the tone for
the story to be presented as factual, while it is in of itself truly fiction
The events that unfold in the novel resonate with readers of the middle-class in such a way that it
seems as if the stories could be written about themselves
Through realistic literary elements of the novel and the themes of individuality, isolation, society, and
being content versus being ambitious, readers of Robinson Crusoe can relate to many experiences that
Crusoe faced
Crusoe's story represents the genre of the middle class; it is the narration of middle-class lives with the
help of realism elements and prominent themes that reflect on middle-class issues and interests

Religious relations
Robinson's relationship with religion at the beginning of the story is not the most important
As seen in the story, the main character only prays to God when he is in trouble or for his protection
In the story, Defoe blended materialism and religion very well
Crusoe has a religion-based motivation. Thinking that God doesn't like lazy people, he always works
for material things
In a way, with the new order and the rise of individual thought, the old moral and religious thought is
losing their influence
However, after Robinson falls ill, he turns to religion and god

Racial issues
There is racist rhetoric in some places or Robinson is extremely proud of it because he is British
Robinson regrets selling Xurry, but not because he really regrets it, but simply because he needs
someone to work for him
There is also a narrative in the novel that being a European, white person makes one superior to others
There is also the idea that being European makes a person smart, enlightened, well-mannered, and
superior. It seems pretty normal for Robinson to name black people whatever he wants and use them
as a servant
The subject of racism is dealt with in a fairly common and ordinary way in the book due to the period
when the book was written
Individualism
Individualism = breakaway from traditions = being independent on its own
The concept of individualism has become a phenomenon later, but the sense of individualism has been
there for ages
Economic individualism means being economically free, and it means that the man creates economic
substance out of nothing just like Robinson Crusoe
Economic individualism = autonomous individual = homo economicus
The man who creates his system rather than just being 'economic'
Robinson Crusoe offers a unique demonstration of the connection between individualism in its many
forms and the rise of the novel
Robinson's desire for more and the fact that he is constantly doing something is an example of how he
reflects the spirit of the age
He is not in close relations with people, his relationships with people are more based on profit and
money

Representation of modernity
Robinson shows characteristic features as part of the new modern order
Robinson is constantly observing things throughout the story
Bookkeeping, keeping a record of things is something Robinson always does. These are the products
of the modern world.
Modernism has had an impact not just at the economic level, but socially, or more specifically, at the
domestic level.
Robinson's relationship with his father looks more like a business partner relationship than a father-
son relationship
The advice his father gave him was largely based on class and materiality

Capitalism
Robinson Crusoe is a Puritan, but on his island, his preoccupations — labor, raw materials, the
processes of production, colonialism, shrewdness, self-discipline, and profit are those of the proto-
capitalist
He is the true prototype of the British colonist
He is a self-made man who accepts objective reality then fashions it to his need through work ethics,
common sense, resilience, and technology
No social pressures or laws limit Crusoe's freedom to act in his interests, so he functions with total
laissez-faire. On the island, he is the prototypical self-made man
At some point, Robinson creates his capital, and the island becomes his colony
Robinson Crusoe, who, cast away on a desert island, in his pocket a knife and a pipe, becomes an
architect, a carpenter, a knife grinder, an astronomer, a baker, a shipwright, a potter, a saddler, a
farmer, a tailor, an umbrella-maker, and a clergyman. His solitary state on the island, his limited
relationships with others, including his own family, and the insignificance of sex/women reflect the
nature of capitalism, which emphasizes individual self-interest