Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Excellent Story Telling

"As I had once done thus in my breaking away from my Parents, so I could not be content now, but I must go and leave the happy View I had of being a rich and thriving Man in my new Plantation only to pursue a rash and immoderate Desire of rising faster than the Nature of Thing admitted; and thus I cast my self down again into the deepest Gulph of human Misery that ever Man fell into, or perhaps could be consistent with Life and a State of Health in the World"

This passage is from Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe which is generally regarded as the very first English novel. Published in 1719, Robinson Crusoe uses a rather unorthodox style of language that was associated with England during said time period. Nevertheless, the story telling is still that of a high quality novel. In this quote he illustrates his feelings towards leaving his parents and his promising future for a seeming perilous nautical journey that eventually ends with him being marooned on a deserted island. What makes this passage a prime example of story telling is that it describes Crusoe's emotions toward his decision graphically employing the reader to empathize with his feelings.

1 comment:

  1. Although I'm not sure exactly what you mean by it's unorthodox style of language, I like what you say about Crusoe's abandoning his promising future for an uncertain one. He makes it clear that his restless nature is responsible for everything that happens to him later, doesn't he. Thanks for a good example.

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