Robinson Crusoe - Would You Hire This Man?

Robinson Crusoe - Daniel Defoe

I read Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe as a companion to my studies in Postcolinal Literature to Foe by J.M. Coetzee, which I actually enjoyed a whole lot more. 

I did like the sense of adventure and marvelled at his seemingly endless survival skills, but this sometimes seemed ridiculously far-fetched. I can’t say I was gripped by the book. I think this was because of the style Defoe is writing it in. Lots of parenthesis, too many commas. The ease he suddenly tames Friday. But it is a book of its time and I suppose I can see why people in the 17^th Century would find it so attractive. High tales of adventure and cannibals! I wish I had made a list as I went along of all the skills Crusoe happens to have. I have tried to remember as many as I can in the following CV. Why a CV? Because Crusoe has a ridiculous amount of skills and if he were to explain them fully it would take up a whole novel. 

Oh, wait a second. 

Robinson Crusoe - CV

Practical and optimistic ordinary young Englishman, with a variety of practical skills, who is a devote follower of His word, and an amiable slave master, looking to flourish as an adventurer.

http://www.videodetective.com/movie_trailer/ROBINSON_CRUSOE/trailer/P00926981.htm

Practical skills

·         Basket weaver

·         Baker

·         Boat-builder

·         Chef

·         Tanner

·         Seamstress

·         Potter

·         Lumberjack

·         Goatsheard

·         Home maker

·         Navigator

·         Miner

·         Architect

·         Vintner

·         Farmer

      ·         Marksman 

 Special skills

·         Slave-driver – I fancied myself a companion, in the form of a slave, whom I began to speak to, and teach him to speak to me; and first, made him know his name should be Friday, which was the day I saved his life.

·         Tutor – I made it my business to teach him (Friday, so above mentioned slave and companion) everything that was proper and useful, and especially to make him speak, and understand me when I spoke.

·         Killer – have killed at least ten natives, and at least five Englishmen

·         God-fearing – believes heartily in Providence and reads the Bible every day.

·         Survivor

 

References – available on request. 

Talking about hiring vagrants and castaways, check out this dude.

Take note of the link beneath the pictures and watch the trailer, it's fricken hilarious. There's a skull in a wig!!

http://www.videodetective.com/movie_trailer/ROBINSON_CRUSOE/trailer/P00926981.htm