Robinson Crusoe was first published in 1719 and remains one of English literature's most famous works of fiction. The novel is set in the late 17th century and tells the story of Robinson Crusoe, a young English mariner shipwrecked on a desert island off the coast of South America. Crusoe spends 28 years on the island, except for a few animals and eventually a native cannibal he names Friday.

Defoe wrote this story when England was increasing its colonial ventures worldwide. As such, it fits into the mindset of many of his contemporaries who thought England had a mission to spread its influence overseas. With the character of Crusoe, Defoe makes the case that every Englishman, even a lowly marooned sailor, must promote English imperialism and values wherever they are.

Although Robinson Crusoe is a work of fiction, it is loosely based on the true story of the Scottish sailor, Alexander Selkirk, who spent over four years marooned on an island off the Pacific coast of South America. Selkirk's story fascinated the people of Britain and inspired numerous adventure stories, such as Defoe's.

The story begins with its titular character relaying the history of his family. He defies the wishes of his merchant father to lead a stable and comfortable life and goes to sea. In later chapters, Crusoe is haunted by his disregard for his father's advice after his shipwreck.

On a voyage to Africa, Crusoe's ship is attacked by Moorish pirates who enslave him. After his escape, Crusoe makes his way to Brazil and becomes a successful sugar plantation owner for several years. However, he is later the only survivor of a shipwreck while on a voyage to buy slaves.

Washed ashore on a desert island, Crusoe salvages as much as he can from the wrecked ship, including a dog and two cats. On the island, he finds a herd of feral goats. Crusoe constructs a home in a cave, complete with furniture, fortifications, tools, and a calendar post to track the passage of time.

During much of this time, Crusoe reflects on his past. In line with the Protestant ethics of his time, he sees himself as sinful for disobeying his parents and not having faith in God.

Now, said I, aloud, my dear father's words are come to pass; God's justice has overtaken me, and I have none to help or hear me. I rejected the voice of Providence, which had mercifully put me in a posture or station of life wherein I might have been happy and easy; but I would neither see it myself nor learn to know the blessing of it from my parents. (Chapter 6)

This realization leads Crusoe to spend his time working to hone his religious faith and dedicate himself to the virtue of hard work. Crusoe spends the next 23 years alone on the island and becomes a skilled castaway. He builds structures, domesticates grain, plants crops, makes pottery, constructs a canoe, and tames animals. Crusoe even teaches a parrot to speak. He sees himself as a solitary "king" on his little island.

Then, to see how like a king I dined, too, all alone, attended by my servants! ...My dog, who was now grown old and crazy, and had found no species to multiply his kind upon, sat always at my right hand; and two cats, one on one side of the table and one on the other, expecting now and then a bit from my hand, as a mark of especial favour. (Chapter 11)

After many lonely years, Crusoe rescues a native man from the cannibals...