The tale of Robinson Crusoe

For many, the story of Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe is just a reading for children. To me it was such as well until recently. About a month ago I got my hands on the original version which was neither edited nor digested or rewritten. It surprised me to a considerable extend. And I wish to share part of it with you in this "off topic" article.

The book doesn't loose its narrative attractiveness nor does it lack the beautiful naivety, so emblematic for such tales, in some parts. However, Daniel Defoe wrote it in a way that the story not only catches your imagination, but also your heart. And this is what many of the newer editions of Robinson's story lack. I dare to rewrite one of my favorite passages and because this is predominantly a visual blog I also attach a picture:


"Wretch! dost thou ask what thou hast done? Look back upon a dreadful misspent life, and ask thyself what thou hast not done? Ask, why is it that thou wert not long ago destroyed? Why wert thou not drowned in Yarmouth Roads; killed in the fight when the ship was taken by the Salle man-of-war; devoured by the wild beasts on the coast of Africa; or drowned here, when all the crew perished but thyself? Dost thou ask, What have I done?"

The conscience of R.C.