The Similarities and Differences of the Book Robinson Crusoe and Other Stories - Research Paper Example

Robinson Crusoe Robinson Crusoe the fictional character in the novel by the same loves sailing; this explains his commitment to set out to the seas even after a series of bad luck with his attempts to set sail. He leaves home against the wishes of his parents who wanted him to build a descent career in law. In his first attempt as sea, the voyage proves tumultuous as a big sea storm wrecks the ship. He later sets out again on another voyage but this again is not successful since they encounter pirates who take over the ship. However, Robinson Cruse does not lose hope he joins a group of slave traders who bring slaves to America. Just as with the other voyages, this also encounters a storm that wrecks the ship thereby leaving him destitute in an unnamed Island. The story differs from other stories that portray similar plots. Among the differences are discussed below. Setting is a fundamental feature in literature; it refers to the placement of the story. This includes the timing and location of the action. The author of the fictional story places the story in an early American society. The actions in the story take place in 1651 when Robinson Crusoe sets out for the first time. In such an early society, the main means of transport was through ships owing to the lack of the contemporary more efficient means of transportation such as airplanes. Captainship was therefore an equally reputable profession owing to the vibrancy of the transportation industry. This explains Robinson’s great passion to become a sailor. He defies his parent’s wishes and sets out in precarious industry that later threatens to claim his life (Ross 33). The placement of the story validates both the plot and the themes that the author addresses in the novel. This is a major difference with other stories addressing similar concepts key among which is Lost. Adopted into a serial television program, the story revolves around the lives of a group of survivors stranded as their airplane crushes in an inhabited Island in New Guinea. Unlike Robinson Crusoe, the setting in Lost is in a modern society. The series of actions in the story therefore portray the modern day features unlike Robinson Crusoe which portrays various unrealistic features all of which the author validates by placing the story back in time when the society believed in various superstitions. However, the authors of both the stories understand the need for conflicts in the stories. Conflicts sustains stories, the authors therefore develop a series of relative conflicts in their stories thereby authenticating their different plots. Robin son Crusoe becomes a lone survivor of a shipwreck as he swims to the Island where he survives for several years. He adopts to the life of the jungle as the author strives to develop by portraying him as the protagonist hero. The author positions Robinson Crusoe as a sole survivor a feature that makes the story predictable since from the moment of the shipwreck, an audience understands that the story would center on the life of the sole survivor and if the story is to end on a positive tone then the sole survivor must overcome all his subsequent challenges. The author positions Robinson Crusoe as a strong and independent hero who survives a series of bad luck and unimaginable occurrences. Key among such is his ability to survive a shipwreck that claims the lives of all the people on board. The wind was so strong that it broke the ship into pieces. Robinson Crusoe survives by recovering from memory lapse following the impact of the shipwreck. He adopts a plank and sails slowly to the island hundreds of miles away. Once in the island, Robinson must survive. He therefore adopts various characters as he sets out to look for booth food and a source of warmth. He lights a fire and the story changes setting to center on the life of the sole survivor while on the Island. Unlike in lost where the story portrays various characters, Robinson Crusoe is a sole character in a backward society. The island in which Crusoe survives is therefore more remote than the one portrayed in Lost owing to the difference in the two societies. Unlike in Lost where the society is technologically advanced, the case differs in Robinson Crusoe’s society that lacks all of the modern day technological features. He cannot therefore communicate with anyone and must survive on his own (Findlater 41). In lost the author depicts about eighty survivors, with such a large population the survivors depend on the abilities of each other and therefore heighten their chances of survival. Additionally, the fact that most of them are wealthy and have sophisticated communication devices makes improves their chances of survival since such instil hope in them. Robinson Crusoe’s situation is hopeless, the lone survivor. This compounds his dire state, as he is likely to suffer from destitution (McConnell 21). He is therefore likely to face various challenges both personal and interpersonal since his lonely state proves any other third party as a potential enemy. The culture on the island is different from his own as he later meets cannibals who come to the Island to eat prisoners. He fears for his life but the author positions the character as a strong person capable of killing any potential enemy. While the two stories cover similar themes, they differ in plot, setting and characterization among other important literary features. Robinson Crusoe faces a destitute life in a jungle where he faces various challenges and potential threats. Among the threats are the series of shipwrecks and bad luck as he seeks to develop a career as sailor. After his shipwrecks and a sole survivor, he swims into an unknown Caribbean island where he must survives. After canvasing the Island for days looking for a good and strategic place to set camp, he discovers a prison in the Island where the neighboring societies cast out their outlaws. He later discovers that a group of cannibals comes to the island to eat the prisoners in a ritual (Secord 111). The new discoveries revamp his hope of survival as he adopts a prisoner as his slaves thereby improving his chances of survival. The story differs from many other similar stories such as Lost in that it centers all the action on the life and experiences of a sole survivor while lost has various survivors. The two authors therefore portray different conflicts because of the difference in their plots and plot structures. Works cited Findlater, Richard. Grimaldi King of Clowns. London: Magibbon & Kee, 1955. Print. McConnell, S. Andrew. The Pantomime Life of Joseph Grimaldi. Edinburgh: Cannongate Books Ltd, 2009. Print. Ross, Angus, ed. Robinson Crusoe. New York: Penguin, 1963. Print. Secord, A. Wellesley. Studies in the narrative method of Defoe. New York: Russell & Russell, 1963. Print. Read More