the nature of sin, punishment, and repentance as one of the themes of Robinson Crusoe

 

Discuss the nature of sin, punishment, and repentance as one of the themes of Robinson Crusoe.

Or,

Robinson Crusoe is written on the basis is of the familiar Christian pattern of disobedience, and punishment repentance. Discuss, how?

Or,

Assess Robinson Crusoe as a fable of sin, punishment, and redemption.

Or,

Consider Robinson Crusoe as the story of a puritan's progress.

 

Ans. Sin, punishment and repentance is one of the important themes of the novel-Robinson Crusoe. Crusoe commits sin of disobeying his father's and mother's advices. He is punished by God through misfortunes on the sea and on the desolate island. He repents for having done wrong to the providence and ultimately, he gets reconciled to his afflictions.

 

Sin: Robinson Crusoe was obstinately inclined to wander the whole world on ship. His father and mother entreated him not to leave them lonely and go for the sea-faring life against their desire.

 

Put ignoring all the advices and entreaties of his parents, Crusoe ran Day from his house and left them without asking their and Gods blessings. Crusoe thought it to be the first sin he committed against his parents and God.

 

On his voyage to London Crusoe's ship was about to wreck and Crusoe was so terrified that he made vows to return home and never to set his foot on the ship. But as the weather improved and the sea was all calm around, he forgot all his vows in a bowl of wine. When he reached London, he thought of going back home. But he feared that his neighbour would laugh at his failure if they see him returning from his adventure. So, he changed his mind and was stick to decision of going to the sea again. Thus, Crusoe committed the sin of pride and breaking his vows. Crusoe committed the third sin in Brazil where he flourished as a planter. He made his luck by producing tobacco and sugar in Brazil. But he was not satisfied with the middle station of life. He wanted to be very rich overnight and he decided again to go to sea for the business of slave and gold.

 

Punishment: Robinson Crusoe regarded his affliction and suffering as the due punishment for his sin. The first punishment he got when the ship bound for London was beaten by the turbulent waves and his life was in danger. The second punishment Crusoe had to suffer when he became the miserable slave of the pirate captain at Sallee. Third and final punishment Crusoe suffered when he was cast alone upon the desolate island.

 

Repentance: Robinson Crusoe committed sin, got punishment and made repentance. He disobeyed his parents; he broke his vows again and again; he was proud of his own vanity; he was greedy of wealth. For all these sins he was severely punished by providence in several ways. Every time he fells in affliction he repented for his sin. The feeling of his guilt broke upon him like a storm and made him wring his hands. He wept like a child. He repented for his sin of disobeying his parents, for his sin of breaking vows, for sin of leaving the plantation business in Brazil. He wept the tears of repentance ca the wild and desolate island. He felt that his punishment was less in proportion to his sin because he had been blessed with all essential things for life around him. He therefore felt thankful to God and his grief then sat lighter upon heart. He felt rejoiced because he realised that he had been allowed by God to repent and then his repentance had been accepted by God.

 

Conclusion: Robinson Crusoe being a headstrong obstinate fellow, committed several kinds of sins to fulfil his strong desire of adventuring in the sea. As a result, he was duly punished by his providence. He was heartily repentant for his sin and merciful God forgave him and blessed him with all necessary things for his life. This implies that his repentance had been accepted. That happened as he resigned himself to his will and the heart of Robinson Crusoe was grateful to his Saviour.