Robinson Crusoe

Character Guide

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Robinson Crusoe

The narrator, a restless young Englishman from Hull who defies his father's wishes for a stable life and runs off to sea, setting in motion the misadventures that define his life.

Crusoe's Father

A prudent, middle-class man who urges Robinson to stay home and pursue a modest, stable life, warning him against the dangers of seafaring.

The Master's Son (Yarmouth companion)

A young friend who first persuades Crusoe to go to sea, but grows fearful and remorseful after their ship nearly wrecks in a storm.

The Ship's Master (Yarmouth voyage)

The captain of Crusoe's first sea voyage, who lectures him gravely about tempting Providence after their storm-tossed journey.

Xury

A loyal boy who escapes slavery in Sallee alongside Crusoe and assists him faithfully during their voyage down the African coast.

The Portuguese Captain

A generous sea captain who rescues Crusoe and Xury off the African coast, treats Crusoe fairly, and helps him get established in Brazil.

Friday

A native man Crusoe rescues from cannibals on the island; he becomes Crusoe's companion and is taught language and customs by him.

The Captain of the Mutinied Ship

An English captain whose crew mutinies and maroons him near Crusoe's island; he later works with Crusoe to reclaim his vessel.

Atkins

One of the mutineers who threatens the captain's authority; he is captured during the plot to retake the ship.

Glossary

Providence

Divine guidance or intervention; Crusoe repeatedly interprets events on the island as messages or mercies from God's Providence.

Original sin (as Crusoe uses it)

Crusoe's own term for his youthful disobedience to his father in going to sea, which he blames for all his later misfortunes.

Pieces of eight

Spanish silver dollar coins, commonly used as currency in trade and piracy during this era.

Sallee / Sallee rover

Sallee was a port in Morocco associated with Barbary pirates; a 'Sallee rover' is a corsair ship from that region that enslaves Crusoe early on.

Raft / periagua

Simple homemade watercraft Crusoe constructs from ship wreckage and later from a hollowed log to move goods or explore.

Grapnel

A small anchor with several hooks, used to secure a boat; Crusoe fashions a crude substitute for one.

Pinioned

Bound at the arms or hands, used when Crusoe and the captain restrain captured mutineers.

Husbandry

Archaic term for farming or agricultural management, used to describe Crusoe's efforts growing corn and rice.

Ducats

Historical gold or silver coins used in Europe, given to Crusoe as payment by the Portuguese captain.

Offing

The part of the sea visible from shore but beyond anchoring ground; ships are described as being 'in the offing' during storms.

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