Robinson Crusoe,supposedly based on the real adventure,is in fact,a work of sheer imagination.The novel consists actually of three parts though only the first part is most well-know and widely read.In this part the hero of the story,Robinson crusoe,narrates in the first person how he goes to sea,gets shipwrecked and marooned on a lonely island,struggles to live for twenty-four years there and finally gets relieved and returns to England.The story starts with Roginson Crusoe's running away from home.An inexperienced teenager and a young man full of bright fancies about the future,he naturally chooses going to sea,because in thoese days it meant a chance to live a chivalrous life,to see the wonders of the world and to make a fortune.After many setbacks and adventures on the sea,he settles down in Brazil as a planter.But the call of the sea is so strong that he soon embarks on another voyage,this time,to Africa.Unfortunately a frightful storm blows the boat off its course and shipwrecks it near an island.
 

　　Of all the ship's crew Robinson alone escape to the shore after strenuous efforts.After salvaging from the wrecked ship some stores of necessities such as bread,rice,barley,corn,planks,lead and gunpowder,and axe and two saws,which he later manages to bring to the island with a self-made raft.After several futile attempts to leave the island,Robinson settles himself down to a hard and lonely life.He grows crops,domesticates animals and builds comfortable homes for himself.His life takes a turn for the better when he saves from the hands of savages a young Black man,whom he names Friday.Robinson teaches him English and educates him in such a way that Friday soon becomes a loyal servant and an indispensable help to him.Finally they are picked up by an English ship and return to England.Thus end the first part of the story.
 

　　In Robinson Crusoe,Defore traces the growth of Robinson from a naive and artless youth into a shrewd and hardened man,tempered by numerous trials in his eventfull life.The realistic account of the successful struggle of Robinson single-handedly against the hostile nature forms the best part of the novel.
 

《鲁宾逊.克鲁索漂流记》似乎是根据真人真事改编创作的，但实际上是纯粹虚构的小说。整部小说分为三部分，只有第一部分为人所知，并广泛阅读。在第一部中，小说主人公鲁宾逊用第一人称讲述了他怎样出海，遇到海难翻船，并漂至一片孤岛，从此在岛上挣扎幸存了二十四年，最后终于获救返回英国的故事。故事一开始写了鲁宾逊离家出走。他当时还是一个不谙世事，充满幻想的少年，自然而然选择了出海，应为当时出海意味着有机会过上骑士贵族生活，到各地观光，并发财致富。在海上经历了一连串挫折与艰险，他定居巴西成为种植园主。但大海对他的诱惑如此强烈，不久他又登上海船，开始了新的航行，这次是去非洲。但海船遇到了风暴，在一个小岛附近沉没了。
 

　　船上人员只有鲁宾逊幸存下来。他从船的遗骸里找出了存储的生活必须品，面包，米，麦，玉米，木板，铅及火药，还有一把斧子和两把锯，并用自制的竹筏一趟趟运上小岛。经过几次徒劳无益的逃离，他在岛上定居，过起了孤独艰辛的生活。他种植玉米，饲养畜禽，还为自己盖了舒适的房子。后来他从强盗手中救下了一个年轻的黑人，并为其取名星期五，从此，他的日子有所好转。鲁宾逊教他学英语并把他调教成自己忠实得力的仆从。最后他们终于被一艘英伦发现，带回祖国。小说第一部便到此结束了。
 

　　在这部小说中，笛福描写了鲁宾逊整个成长经历，从一个天真无邪的少年到一个精明而饱经沧桑的成年，受到了无数次坎坷的磨练。其中，对鲁宾逊徒手与恶劣的大自然作斗争的描述是小说最精彩的部分。