The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe · Chapter
Start in Life explained
Robinson Crusoe introduces himself, born in 1632 in York to a German father and English mother.
What happens
Robinson Crusoe introduces himself, born in 1632 in York to a German father and English mother. Despite his father's earnest counsel to embrace the 'middle station of life' as the happiest and safest, Crusoe's restless desire for the sea overwhelms him. He briefly resolves to stay after his father's tearful warning, but soon abandons the idea, persuades his mother to intercede (she refuses), and eventually runs away to sea. After a first storm terrifies him into repentance, a companion's mockery and drink wash away his good intentions, and he continues his voyage.
Themes in this chapter
The Middle Station of Life
Crusoe's father extensively argues that the middle station is the best state for human happiness, free from the miseries of poverty and the pride of wealth, a theme central to Crusoe's initial conflict.
Providence and Divine Justice
Crusoe's father's discourse is described as 'truly prophetic,' and Crusoe later reflects on his repentance during the storm, only to forget it, suggesting a providential pattern of warning and consequence.
Self-Reliance and Individualism
Crusoe's determination to follow his own 'rambling thoughts' against his father's commands and his eventual decision to run away exemplify a nascent individualism.
Characters to notice
- Robinson Crusoe
The narrator and protagonist, a young man of eighteen with a strong inclination to go to sea, who defies his father's advice and runs away from home.
- The Master
Crusoe's father, a wise and grave man who gives him serious counsel about the middle station of life and warns him against going to sea.
- Xury
Not directly mentioned in this chapter, but included as a canonical character; no appearance here.
Key passages
“I was born in the year 1632, in the city of York, of a good family, though not of that country, my father being a foreigner of Bremen, who settled first at Hull.”
Crusoe introduces himself, noting his birth year and place, and explains that his father was a German immigrant from Bremen who first lived in Hull.
Establishes Crusoe's origins and family background.
“He told me it was men of desperate fortunes on one hand, or of aspiring, superior fortunes on the other, who went abroad upon adventures... that mine was the middle state, or what might be called the upper station of low life, which he had found, by long experience, was the best state in the world.”
Crusoe's father explains that only the desperate or the ambitious seek adventures abroad, and that Crusoe's own position is the ideal middle station of life.
Highlights the father's central argument for the middle station.
“But alas! a few days wore it all off; and, in short, to prevent any of my father's further importunities, in a few weeks after I resolved to run quite away from him.”
Crusoe's initial resolve to stay home fades quickly, and he decides to run away to avoid his father's pleas.
Shows Crusoe's impulsive nature and rejection of paternal advice.
“And now, lest my good resolutions should continue, my companion, who had enticed me away, comes to me; 'Well, Bob,' says he, clapping me upon the shoulder, 'how do you do after it? I warrant you were frighted, wer'n't you, last night, when it blew but a capful of wind?'”
After the storm, Crusoe's companion mocks his fear and encourages him to forget his repentance with drink.
Illustrates how peer pressure and drink undermine Crusoe's moral resolve.