Lit Analysis #2 Robinson Crusoe

GENERAL
1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read, and explain how the narrative fulfills the author's purpose (based on your well-informed interpretation of same).

How brief? Robinson Crusoe is born into a wealthy family, wants to sail.  Becomes a wealthy merchant but then is capture by pirates.  He escapes, raises a successful plantation in Brazil and tries to sail back to his home in England.  A storm ship wrecks him and he is stuck on a deserted island.  Robinson sticks it out for a couple years, gathering supplies and saving others from cannibals.  He is given the chance to go home and takes it.  His plantation was successful the 20 something years he was shipwrecked and obtains a small fortune.  The author did a superb job of getting the purpose across.

2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches.

The importance of Self-Awareness.  He notices his bad condition and acts upon it.  His calendar not only counts the days passed but also the days spent on the island.  He is careful not to lose his own consciousness.

 
3. Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).

The whole story is basically an autobiography.  It is the story of Robinson's sins and repenting. 

4. Describe a minimum of ten literary elements/techniques you observed that strengthened your understanding of the author's purpose, the text's theme and/or your sense of the tone. For each, please include textual support to help illustrate the point for your readers. (Please include edition and page numbers for easy reference.)
-Symbolism-The island Crusoe shipwrecked on is life.  We barley survive but can escape to a better land (wealthy/happy) if we try-

-Dialogue-Simple enough-

-Syntax-Do I really need to go in depth

-Diction-See above

-Allusion-The bible appears in many sections of the story.  Why is it there? (see tone)

-Motif-Counting, eating, conflict at sea

-Imagery-The novel is filled to the brim with mind pictures

-Irony-I don't know.  I find it kind of funny when a Sailor is ship wrecked.  Aren't they supposed to be better at steering a ship then the average joe?

CHARACTERIZATION 
1. Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization.  Why does the author use both approaches, and to what end (i.e., what is your lasting impression of the character as a result)?

Not really any direct characterization as the story is told through Crusoe.  Any description is in Crusoe's eyes.

2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character?  How?  Example(s)?
Nope, not at all.  The story is based on Crusoe and doesn't deviate.

3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic?  Flat or round?  Explain.

Robinson is a dynamic character.  He changes from a wealthy merchant to a low life stuck on an island, effectively getting both sides of the spectrum.  He is well rounded with his characteristics.

4. After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character?  Analyze one textual example that illustrates your reaction.

Nope, never.