Study Guide
Study Guide
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Theme and Character DevelopmentPrologueRobinson Crusoe is about to set sail for England after being stranded on an island off South America for nearly thirty years. The Crusoe character supposes the audience members to be his rescuing Admiral and crew and invites them to listen to his story of how he has come to stay on the island for these many years. He asks Friday to assist him in telling his story to the audience even though he and Friday have not yet met at this point in the story. |
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Scene 1 & 2 |
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 The year is 1659. Crusoe survives a terrible
storm, all his fellow sailors and the Captain of the Santa Luisa perish in the storm. He
is washed ashore on an apparently deserted island somewhere close to Trinidad. Crusoe has
experienced a frightening loss but he is glad to be alive. |
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Locate Trinidad on a world map and imagine which nearby island Crusoe was washed ashore. |
Scene 3 & 4 |
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| Crusoe is able to rescue some provisions from the quickly sinking Santa Luisa and sets up home in a cave. He is feeling optimistic about his situation and starts recording daily accounts in a journal. He has been able to take from the ship a musket, pistol, some biscuits, various grains, a spyglass and a quill pen and ink. Crusoe goes in search of more food and to see what else inhabits the island. | |
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Write a daily journal for 1 week – Make notes and include drawings and interesting observations, thoughts and conversations and new discoveries. |
Scene 5 |
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 In Crusoe’s absence, we discover that the island is inhabited with a
talking parrot and a foraging goat. In this scene we are introduced to puppets. |
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Discuss the use of puppetry in the play. What are some of the other ways we have to use our imagination when we are watching the play |
Scene 6 |
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 Crusoe is very excited to see the animals and
quickly domesticates them. It is now Day 26 on the island and our hero is resigned to
being completely alone on the island save his new animal companions. He weathers the rainy
season by being very industrious. He constructs various objects of use like a chair,
umbrella, candles and needle. His diet changes to reflect what is available to eat around
him. |
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Make a list of the animals we have domesticated in Canada and for what purpose. Discuss how someone’s diet and lifestyle would differ if they were a carnivore, a vegetarian, or if they lived in different hemispheres. |
Scene 7 |
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| Crusoe succumbs to the inclement weather and becomes quite ill. He experiences an hallucination in which his father appears and taunts him. | |
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Describe one of your worst experiences of being sick. How did you get better? Discuss why you think Crusoe's father appears to him in a dream. |
Scene 8,9,10 & 11 |
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| Crusoe awakes from his fitful sleep. He emerges a new man, appreciative of what little he has gathered. Even the earth seems to be smiling upon him, as crops magically appear. Once again our hero is grateful for his survival and the natural resources about him. Buoyed by his good luck, and the watchful eye of his guardian angel, he makes bread and cheese, wine and even constructs some clothing from the wool of the goats. It is Day 5180, and we see Crusoe lonely and longing for conversation - even if it's with the parrot. The passing of his fortieth birthday makes Crusoe long for his old life in England. | |
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How many years has Crusoe spent on the island so far? Record in whatever format you like your goals for when you are 40 years old - ie. job, where you will be living, what are your hobbies and leisure activities, etc. Keep your record in a safe place for future reference. |
Scene 12 & 13 |
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| Crusoe’s prayers are answered. A man appears in the midst of a volley of gunshots. The intruder seems fearful for his life and our hero comes to the rescue. After binding his wounds, Crusoe and his new island mate sleep, eat and teach each other their names. His new friend, Friday admires all of Crusoe’s possessions including his musket. Friday has obviously had limited and frightening experience with a gun and he takes the time to study and understand how the tool works. | |
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Imagine what you would do if you wanted to make friends with someone who did not speak the same language. Are there useful and harmful ways guns are used as tools? |
Scene 14 & 15 |
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| Friday and Crusoe learn to work together. They thoroughly enjoy themselves and each other, building a fence. When Sunday rolls around, Crusoe wants to rest as is his cultural tradition, but Friday is ready for work and is confused by the custom observed by his friend. They share a meal and Friday teaches Crusoe his own custom of thanking the earth for what you are about to eat. | |
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Why do we have a “day of rest” in Canada. Do all people here rest on the same day? What are some other treasured Canadian customs? |
Scene 16 |
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| In this scene, the climax of the play, the two friends reach an emotional level of conflict. Crusoe, busy with his own work, ignores Friday, without explaining why he needs to have some time alone. Friday dislikes being shunned and his feelings are hurt by the selfish actions of Crusoe. | |
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Demonstrate verbally with a partner effective ways of letting your friends know you want to be left alone or that you want to do something different. |
Scene 17 |
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| Here, we see a contrite Crusoe reconcile with Friday. They bond together over a death-defying feat that Friday insists they both participate in.. | |
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List some ways you seal a friendship. What are some of the things you do to 'make-up' with a friend you have had a disagreement with? |
Scene 18 & 19 |
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 The closing scenes deal with the
circumstances of how the rescue ship appears on the island. It is also the portrayal of a
fond farewell between two friends. Crusoe is eager to return to his homeland and Friday is
thrilled to remain on the island with all that has been built up over the years. In the
end, there is only one thing they value above everything else; their friendship. |
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Discuss whether you think this is a happy or sad ending to the play. |
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