1. At the beginning of the novel, what is Robinson Crusoe’s attitude towards God and religion?
2. What evidence can you find in Crusoe’s youth to determine his capitalism?
3. In your opinion, why did Crusoe want to keep a journal?
4. Compare the ideas regarding man’s ability to create, for himself, a civilization in the wilderness in this novel and in Golding’s Lord of the Flies.
5. What is a “piragua”?
6. How does Crusoe reconcile his urge to kill cannibals with his religious beliefs?
7. In terms of this novel, is “girl Friday” a degrading title?
8. Define Crusoe’s paternalism.
9. What are Crusoe’s attitudes towards women in the latter part of the novel?
10. How many years was Crusoe on the island?
11. Do you think that Defoe meant this novel to be a moral tale? If so, what was the moral?
12. Is this a “picaresque” novel?
13. Could Crusoe be considered a “racist”?
14. How important were the attitudes of Crusoe’s father on his son’s development?
15. What trait did you admire most in Robinson Crusoe? What trait did you admire the least?
