Discussion Topic
Robinson Crusoe's Illness-Induced Dream and Vision
Summary:
In Robinson Crusoe, during a severe illness, Crusoe experiences a fever-induced dream that marks the start of his spiritual awakening. In this vision, a fearsome man descends from dark clouds, threatening him with a spear and declaring his impending death for failing to repent. This terrifying encounter prompts Crusoe to reflect on his past selfishness and lack of gratitude towards God, leading him to embrace faith and prayer for the first time.
Discuss Robinson Crusoe's dream and the "terrible vision" he had.
One night, Robinson Crusoe has a terrible nightmare: a fever dream brought on by the ague. In the dream, he's confronted with the truly terrifying vision of a strange man descending from the black clouds to threaten him with a spear. Crusoe can also hear the sound of a deep, booming voice—almost certainly the voice of God himself—telling him that he will die, as he hasn't repented of his sins.
Upon waking, Crusoe immediately understands the significance of the dream. He knows that he must turn aside from his life of selfishness and pleasure and embrace Christ as his savior. For all the time he's been on the island, Crusoe has been provided with everything he needs to survive: plenty of food, material for shelter, and a supply of fresh, clean water. Yet at no time has he thanked God for these natural gifts; he's simply taken everything for granted....
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But that selfish attitude has to change, and it takes a terrifying nightmare to make Crusoe realize this.
Crusoe experiences this vision as he is suffering from a dreadful bout of the "ague" (intense fever and chills usually associated with malaria). In this vision, he sees a man coming out of a black cloud, heading directly for him. With the earth shaking and the skies filled with lightning, the man warns:
Seeing all these things have not brought thee to repentance, now thou shalt die.
The man then points a spear at Crusoe's chest. Crusoe interprets the vision as chastisement for his "uncommonly wicked" past. He had previously not thought of his experiences as being punishment for this past, but from this point on, he does. He responded to this vision with a cry for help to God. This vision represents the awakening of Crusoe's conscience to his past, in which he was somewhat of a rake.
References
Describe Robinson Crusoe's dream during his illness.
In the story, Robinson suffered from a terrible attack of the ague. The text tells us that he could not eat or drink during his sickest moments.
On the evening of June 27th, Robinson had a frightening dream. In his dream, Robinson believed himself to be sitting on the ground. As he looked up, he saw a man descend in a huge dark cloud. The man was clothed in a shining flame.
Robinson tells us that the man's face and figure were so bright that he could barely look at him. Most terrifying of all, the man's face showed an extremely severe expression. Robinson remembers being deathly afraid after the man's footsteps caused the earth to tremble.
He reports seeing the fearful figure approach him with a spear or weapon. For his part, Robinson believes that his formidable dream enemy had intended to kill him. The man had raised his spear and declared that Robinson should die, due to the fact that he had failed to repent of his sins.
Robinson admits that his dream frightened him. He became remorseful that he never once considered the state of his soul throughout the years of his adult life. As he lay in the throes of his terrible illness, Robinson began to regret his rejection of God and his estrangement from the parents who had begged him to reconsider his path in life.
I believe that you are talking about the dream that Robinson Crusoe has in Chapter IX. This is a dream that really begins his religious conversion.
In this dream, Crusoe sees a man descending from the heavens to the Earth. The man comes towards Crusoe, holding a weapon in his hand. He tells Crusoe that he is going to kill him because all of these things that have happened to Crusoe have not been enough to make him repent and turn to God.
The dream inspires Crusoe to pray -- he says it is his first real prayer ever.