My Reflection on Robinson's Self-Portrait on the Deserted Island

Prompt: My Thoughts on Robinson's Self-Portrait on the Deserted Island

My Impression of Robinson's Self-Portrait on the Deserted Island

I. Outline: My Impression of Robinson's Self-Portrait on the Deserted Island
 

1. Introduction

- Introducing the excerpt of Robinson on the deserted island.
 

2. Body

a. Character's Self-Portrait:
-Attire:
+ A hat described as 'commanding and towering, barely recognizable.'
+ A long-tailed coat reaching about two thigh lengths.

- Equipment:
+ A wide leather belt with a small hanging saw on one side.
+ On the other side, a small axe hangs loosely, secured by another leather belt, carrying a dangling shotgun and ammo.
+ A backpack attached to the back, topped with a makeshift, ugly umbrella...
=> Essential tools for Robinson's solitary life, showcasing strong survival skills and a resilient will to live.
=> The character's meticulousness and determination against loneliness while living on the deserted island, vividly depicting the harsh living conditions faced by Robinson for many years.

- Appearance:
+ Focus on the peculiar beard, revealing the character's optimistic spirit and the appreciation for one's outward appearance, demonstrating the importance of preserving one's self-identity in the face of life's hardships.

b. Meaning behind the Self-Portrait:
- Depiction of the character's extreme solitude in life.
- Illustration of scarcity in life => The character must produce their own food, build shelter, etc.
- Harsh weather conditions => The character's creativity in crafting clothing and equipment for themselves.
=> A spirit of optimism, love for life, and a refusal to let loneliness destroy the soul, hoping to return to the mainland, never giving up by consistently recalling beloved England through the self-portrait.

3. Conclusion:

Expressing personal reflections.
 

II. Sample Essay: My Impression of Robinson's Self-Portrait on the Deserted Island

Robinson Crusoe is the debut novel and the most famous work of English writer Daniel Defoe (1660-1731). It was published when the author was nearly sixty years old, bringing his name to international fame. The adventurous story revolves around the protagonist named Robinson. Engaged in various adventures, Robinson's ill-fated African expedition with friends results in a shipwreck, leaving him stranded on a deserted island. Alone for over 28 years, Robinson faces the challenges of survival amidst the island's flora and fauna. The excerpt 'Robinson on the Deserted Island' depicts his self-portrait after 15 years of enduring extreme conditions. The character's witty and humorous narrative reflects optimism, a love for life, and extraordinary resilience during the 15 years of hardship.

Firstly, one can't help but be intrigued by Robinson's description of his current appearance with the statement, 'If someone in England were to meet me as I was back then, I'm sure I would either terrify them or make them burst into uncontrollable laughter.' This gives readers a glimpse into the unusual look Robinson has developed over the years on the deserted island. Regarding attire, Robinson has fashioned for himself a hat described as 'commanding and towering, barely recognizable,' a long-tailed coat reaching about two thigh lengths, loose-fitting trousers 'drooping to the knees,' and a pair of 'indescribable, resembling boots, wrapped around the legs and tied on both sides.' Although all seem rudimentary and patched together, Robinson's homemade leather items serve to combat the island's harsh weather conditions. Moreover, they showcase his excellent survival skills, meticulousness, and a determined spirit against loneliness in the frigid, uninhabited island. His makeshift clothing not only helps him endure the challenging conditions but also reflects resourcefulness in utilizing available materials to create essential items for survival, highlighting his resilience in the face of solitude.

In addition to the eccentric attire, Robinson's self-portrait is also revealed through the tools he has fashioned for himself. A wide leather belt adorned with a small hanging saw on one side, and on the other, a small axe hangs loosely, secured by another leather belt, carrying a dangling shotgun and ammo. A backpack attached to the back, topped with a makeshift, ugly umbrella—evaluated as the most crucial like a gun to the character. All these items are essential for Robinson's solitary life, where he is the only human presence. The equipment, hung all over him, is for convenience in moving his shelter at any time and ready to fend off any attacks from other creatures. Thus, through dressing and personal equipment, we witness strong survival skills, a resilient will to live, the character's carefulness, and a steel spirit against loneliness, living on a deserted island without a trace of another person but still able to humorously depict the extremely harsh living conditions of Robinson after 15 years of solitude.

Regarding his appearance, Robinson doesn't elaborate much compared to clothing and equipment, focusing on a few concise sentences. Most notable is his beard: 'My beard had at one point grown to over a glove's length. But since I had scissors and a razor, I cut it quite short, except for the mustache above my lip, which I shaped into a pair of mustaches similar to the Turkish style.' The way Robinson speaks about his mustache gives us insight into the character's optimistic spirit and the appreciation for his outward appearance. Despite life's hardships, he knows how to care for his facial hair in a somewhat strange manner, perhaps indicating his adventurous and daring nature. At a deeper level, the character's mustache symbolizes the preservation of one's self-identity, not letting life's difficulties take that away, even after 15 years of being stranded in an unfamiliar place without another soul in sight.