Robinson Crusoe has to overcome his fear to survive his prolonged stay on the deserted island. His battle with fear begins when he frantically runs around, scared of every shadow, and sleeps in a tree with a weapon: “fear banished all my religious hope, all that former confidence in God.” He quickly realizes he must regain his calm and rational thinking to endure.

Throughout the story, Crusoe is nearly consumed by his fear of the unknown. This fear motivates him to take control of the island, secure his shelter, and become self-reliant. His capacity to transform his fear into productivity and creativity allows him to endure under harsh conditions.

Crusoe ultimately conquers his fear when he encounters his greatest challenge—the devil. While exploring a cave, he sees a pair of eyes. Initially terrified, he realizes he can face this adversary just as he has faced every other challenge on the island: “He that was afraid to see the devil, was not fit to live twenty years in an island all alone.”

With this understanding, he charges forward to confront the devil and discovers a dying goat. He has passed his test. Had he not confronted his fears, he would have fled, convinced the devil was in that cave. Instead, he investigates and faces his fear head-on.