Top 6 Best Lesson Plans for "Robinson Crusoe on the Desert Island" by Defoe for 9th Grade

A. MAIN IDEAS

1. The Author:

Daniel Defoe (1660-1731) was an English writer born in London. Known for his progressive ideas, Defoe created numerous famous works, including Robinson Crusoe, The King of the Gypsies, Colonel Jack, Roxana, and others.

2. The Work:

Context and Origin: This passage is taken from the well-known novel Robinson Crusoe.
Form: Written as an autobiography.
Summary: Robinson Crusoe was an avid adventurer, passionate about exploring unknown lands, undeterred by storms, and dangers. In September, at the age of 27, Robinson, from York, England, was shipwrecked and found himself stranded alone on a deserted island, with no sign of human life. After 28 years, 2 months, and 19 days, he returned to England at the age of 55. This excerpt recounts the 15 years Robinson spent on the island.

B. EXERCISES AND SOLUTIONS

Question 1: Page 129, 9th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2

If the last paragraph of the text were to be divided into two separate sections, where would the division occur? Identify the structure of the text and create titles for each section.

Structure:
Part 1 (From the beginning... to “below”): Robinson's self-reflection on his own image.
Part 2 (Next… to “just like my clothes”): Robinson's clothing.
Part 3 (From “Around me...” to “beside my gun”): Robinson's equipment.
Part 4 (Remaining portion): Robinson's physical appearance.

Question 2: Page 129, 9th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2
What is notable about the placement and length of the section where Robinson describes his appearance compared to the other sections? Explain why this is the case, considering the first-person perspective.

Answer:
The section describing Robinson's appearance is placed last in the narrative and is also quite brief (only a few lines).
This is due to the first-person perspective. The story is told through Robinson's eyes, and as he is the narrator, he can only describe what he sees, such as his mustache. On the other hand, the details regarding his weapons and clothing are given more attention. This choice is an artistic decision by the author, as the first-person narrative allows for a more intriguing and unique presentation of Robinson's unusual appearance.

Question 3: Page 129, 9th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2
How does Robinson's difficult life on the deserted island appear through the details of his self-portrait?

Answer:
Robinson's harsh existence on the island is subtly depicted in the details of his self-portrait. The rough climate, scarce clothing, and his reliance on goat skins for attire—his “outfit” consisted of goat hides tied together, with boots and even a bullet pouch made of the same material—illustrate his struggles. His other tools, such as knives, saws, and axes, further emphasize the difficulty of his life. However, with the remnants of the shipwreck and his gun, Robinson set out to build a new life on the island. By hunting, he survived for years and even used goat skins to make his clothes. Later, he grew wheat from seeds salvaged from the wreck and raised goats for breeding. On this desolate island, he faced countless dangers, including wild animals and disease. These details, along with the first-person narrative, reveal Robinson's extraordinary resilience, optimism, creativity, hard work, and an unyielding will to survive.

Question 4: Page 130, 9th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2
How is Robinson's optimism in the face of adversity reflected in his self-portrait and narrative tone?

Answer:
Despite the immense challenges Robinson faced, he never expressed complaints in his self-portrait. Instead, his optimism shines through. Dressed in odd, makeshift clothing, resembling a wild man, and laden with tools like axes and saws, his appearance only adds to the strangeness. Yet, this image presents him as the ruler of his own island, reigning over his little kingdom. The humorous tone he adopts when describing his mustache further highlights his optimistic spirit. He talks about grooming it, even humorously comparing his large, pointed mustache to a hook for hanging his hat. Robinson’s situation was dire, yet while others might have despaired, he clung to life. Not just to survive, but to improve his existence. He refused to let nature defeat him and, in turn, conquered nature itself.

I. A Few Words About the Author
- D. Defoe (full name: Daniel Defoe)
- Hometown: Born in London, England
- Life and Career:
+ He was an English writer, journalist, and economist
+ Notable works: The Adventures of Captain Singleton, Moll Flanders, etc.

II. The Work
1. Context of Creation
- Robinson Crusoe on the Deserted Island is an excerpt from the novel Robinson Crusoe (1719). The excerpt tells the story of Robinson surviving alone on a deserted island for 15 years.

2. Structure
- Part 1: Introduction
- Part 2: Robinson's Clothing
- Part 3: Robinson's Equipment
- Part 4: Robinson's Appearance

3. Summary of Robinson Crusoe
Robinson is a strong, brave young man who enjoys adventure, with a desire to explore unknown lands and brave the open sea. He boards a ship at the port of Hull to go to London. The ship is wrecked near Yarmouth. Despite the disaster, Robinson does not lose heart. He ignores the pleas of his parents and joins a captain of a trading ship to go to Guinea. The first trip is successful, but on the second trip, the ship is attacked by pirates, and Robinson is enslaved in Sallee. After two years, he escapes and drifts to Brazil, where he sets up a plantation. With a bit of capital, he returns to Guinea on a trading ship four years later. The ship is caught in a storm and wrecked. Most of the crew perishes, but Robinson survives. The wreckage washes up near a deserted island. Robinson manages to get to the island, sets up a shelter, and salvages everything from the wrecked ship—guns, ammunition, and food. He hunts, grows crops, raises goats, and works in various crafts like weaving and pottery to sustain his solitary life on the island.
After 25 years, Robinson coincidentally saves a black prisoner from being executed by the natives. He names him Friday. Not long after, Robinson saves two more prisoners, a Spaniard and Friday's father, who were about to be executed by the natives. Now, there are four people on the island, and Robinson's life is less lonely.
One day, a ship arrives at the island's bay. The sailors mutiny, tie up the captain and first mate, and plan to leave them to die on the island. Robinson helps the captain regain control of the ship. He then returns to England with Friday. In total, Robinson has spent 28 years, 2 months, and 19 days on the deserted island.

4. Meaning and Value
Robinson Crusoe is an adventure novel written in the form of a first-person autobiography. Robinson is an idealized figure who loves adventure, has great ambitions, extraordinary perseverance, courage, and the ability to adapt to and overcome challenges. He has the strength and creativity to conquer nature and transform his circumstances. His compassion for others is also a notable trait.
Through the character of Robinson, Defoe emphasizes a central idea: that the most remarkable quality is the ability to harness strength and intelligence to improve one’s environment, and to not succumb to adversity, but to make nature serve humanity. In the face of harsh conditions, one must learn to survive and maintain a positive outlook. This novel celebrates the admirable qualities of Robinson, making it especially appealing to young readers.

III. Answering the Textbook Questions

Question 1: Explanation:

a) Definitions: “portrait,” “self-portrait.”

b) Why can we consider Robinson on the deserted island as a self-portrait (self-narrative) of the character?

c) The positioning (before or after) and emphasis (long or short) of the description Robinson gives of his own appearance.

Answer:

This exercise helps students understand the concepts of “portrait” and “self-portrait” as applied in the text Robinson on the Deserted Island. You should provide oral explanations and jot down the main points in your notebook.

a) You are asked to explain the concepts in their literal sense, related to the art of painting. You can refer to a dictionary or recall what the teacher taught in class. Remember that a portrait can focus on the face, the bust, or the whole body.

b) You should provide examples from the narrative style and the character’s descriptions.

c) To explain well, you should put yourself in Robinson’s shoes in the given circumstances and imagine you are an artist creating a self-portrait.

Question 2: Based on the details in the text, imagine and describe the difficult life and optimistic, determined spirit of Robinson Crusoe on the deserted island during that time.

This exercise helps you understand the content of the text and appreciate the admirable qualities of Robinson Crusoe, allowing you to draw lessons for your own life.

You only need to present your answer orally; if you have extra time, you can write a more formal response (with an introduction and conclusion), about one page long. The story should be told from your perspective, not from the character's as in the original text.

The answer should highlight three main ideas: Robinson’s difficult life, his determination to overcome difficulties, and his optimistic attitude. These points can be presented separately or intertwined.

The answer should be based on the details in the text, and if you expand on them, you should remain grounded in the text's content. For example, through the details in the text, you could describe the weather on the island, Robinson’s activities there, and so on.

Basic Knowledge

1. Excerpted from the famous work Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, an English writer who lived in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, nearly 300 years ago. Yet Robinson Crusoe still captivates many readers today, not just for its thrilling plot, but also due to its fresh, modern writing style—clear, witty, and full of charm.

2. The excerpt can be divided into two parts: one describes Robinson's attire, and the other his appearance. His outfit is quite unusual, and his looks are just as humorous. However, through the author's descriptions, readers can catch a glimpse of the hardships the character has endured, with incredible determination and a deep love for life.

Suggested Answers to Textbook Questions:

Question 1 - Page 129

If the last section of the text were to be split into two separate paragraphs, where would it be appropriate to break it? Identify the structure of the text and provide a title for each section.

Answer:

The text can be divided into four parts:

- Part 1 (Paragraph 1): Introduction.

- Part 2 (Paragraph 3): Robinson's clothing.

- Part 3 (From "Around me..." to "next to my gun..."): Robinson's equipment.

- Part 4 (The rest): Robinson's appearance.

Question 2 - Page 129

What is notable about the position and length of the part where Robinson describes his appearance compared to the other sections? Try to explain why this is the case, considering the story is told from the first-person perspective.

Answer:

In this passage, the description of Robinson's appearance is brief (only about ten lines). This is because the narrative is in the first person. Robinson is describing himself, so he can only talk about what he sees, such as his mustache. In contrast, the details about his weapons and clothing are described much more thoroughly.

This is also an artistic choice by the author. The descriptions are delivered in a humorous, optimistic tone, with phrases like, "It wasn't so scorched... like someone who doesn't care about their skin..." and "I wouldn’t say my mustache was so long that I could hang my hat on it... but it certainly scared people..." This is a style of portraiture seen in Eastern watercolor painting, where only the most prominent features are described. By using the first-person narrative, the author draws the reader's attention to these key details.

Question 3 - Page 129

How does Robinson's extremely difficult life on the deserted island emerge through the details in this self-portrait?

Answer:

Robinson had lived alone on the deserted island for over ten years. Most of his clothes were made from goat hide: his "outfit" consisted of pieces of goat hide tied together, his boots were also made of goat hide, and even his bullet pouch was fashioned from it. In addition, he carried tools needed for survival in the wilderness: knives, saws, axes, etc. Just through his clothing and equipment, we can see the harshness of Robinson's life at that time, as well as his extraordinary determination, indomitable will, and wise survival skills in the wild.

Question 4 - Page 130

How is Robinson's optimistic spirit, despite all the hardships, expressed through his self-portrait and his narrative tone?

Answer:

At the beginning of the excerpt, Robinson's optimistic spirit is evident in his humorous narrative tone: "If someone from England saw a man like me back then... with the gear and clothing I had..." It's clear that, even without returning to England, the character "I" is already "laughing hysterically" at his odd appearance. From his "huge, towering hat that didn’t quite resemble anything," to the "knee-length trousers," and even the strange footwear, everything was made from goat hide. This first shows the reality: Robinson no longer had any fabric left to make clothes (after many years on the island). But behind this is an admirable truth—Robinson did whatever he could to survive. In the story, he even tames goats and grows barley to make bread. These strange garments (hat, trousers, shirt, shoes, belt for carrying items, umbrella for rain and sun...) were all designed to replace regular clothing as effectively as possible. Just through his attire, we can see the character's immense determination and resilience. Instead of being defeated by his harsh circumstances, Robinson kept working to make the best of his situation.

The final part of the excerpt describes his weapons, which are vividly portrayed, reflecting both the living conditions and the character's remarkable abilities.

Question 1 (Page 129, Literature Textbook, Grade 9, Volume 2):

Structure

- Part 1 (Paragraph 1): Introduction

- Part 2 (Paragraphs 2 and 3): Robinson's Clothing

- Part 3 (Continues... until "next to my gun"): Robinson's Defensive Weapons

- Part 4 (Remaining part): Robinson's Appearance

Question 2 (Page 137, Literature Textbook, Grade 9, Volume 2)

The description of the portrait takes up very little space. This is because Robinson tells his own story.

This is due to the narrative perspective; the protagonist describes himself, so he can only describe what he sees.

- When describing his weapons and clothing, these details are portrayed in great depth.

- From the author's unique perspective, Robinson's bizarre appearance is described to captivate the reader's attention.

Question 3 (Page 129, Literature Textbook, Grade 9, Volume 2)

Robinson Crusoe, originally from England, was shipwrecked and drifted onto a deserted island near the equator during a sea voyage from Brazil.

- Robinson lived alone on the island for 15 years, wearing a hat, clothes, and boots made from goat hide.

- Over time, the harsh weather conditions caused his clothes, boots, and hat to deteriorate and become unusable.

- All of Robinson's clothing was made from goat skin, as the island was full of wild goats. Fortunately, Robinson managed to keep his gun, gunpowder, and ammunition.

+ Robinson sustained his life by hunting and using goat hide for clothing.

- Robinson made use of what he salvaged from the wrecked ship: some leftover wheat seeds, and even set traps to capture goats and breed them.

- Even though Robinson had no enemies to fight, he still required tools like a saw and an axe for felling trees in the forest.

→ Through his clothing and equipment, Robinson demonstrates extraordinary determination, an unbreakable will, and a resourceful survival spirit.

Question 4 (Page 130, Literature Textbook, Grade 9, Volume 2)

- Robinson's difficult and hard life on the island is told with humor and wit.

- Robinson displays an optimistic spirit (as seen in his description of his mustache).

→ Despite being in an incredibly difficult situation, where another person might have fallen into despair and given up, Robinson always strives to improve his life, refusing to be defeated by fate.

Meaning and Value

Through Robinson's self-portrait and his narrative voice, readers can imagine the extreme difficulties he faced and the optimistic spirit that helped him endure alone on a deserted island near the equator for over a decade.

Question 1 (Page 129, Literature Textbook, Grade 9, Volume 2):

Consider where the final part of the text should be split into two separate paragraphs. Identify the structure of the text and provide titles for each section.

Answer:

The text can be divided into four sections.

Section 1: Introduction.

Section 2: Clothing (Paragraphs 2 and 3 in the text).

Section 3: (From "Around my body..." to "next to my gun"): Equipment.

Section 4: (The remaining part) Appearance.

Upon review, if the final paragraph were to be split into two, the break should occur where it is indicated above.

Question 2 (Page 129, Literature Textbook, Grade 9, Volume 2):

What is notable about the length and position of Robinson’s description of his appearance compared to other parts? Explain why this might be so when considering that the character is telling the story from his own perspective.

Answer:

- Based on the structure of the text, the author first introduces the clothing (hat, clothes, boots) from head to toe, then moves on to describe the equipment, and finally, only briefly mentions his appearance.

- The description of his appearance occupies a small portion (around ten lines). He only briefly touches on his complexion and focuses mainly on his mustache... This was intentional by Robinson, as he mainly wanted to highlight his bizarre outfit and his clutter of belongings.

- This is also influenced by the first-person narrative. Robinson can only describe what he sees himself.

Question 3 (Page 129, Literature Textbook, Grade 9, Volume 2):

How do the details in Robinson's self-portrait give us a glimpse of his difficult life on the deserted island during this time?

Answer:

- Robinson had been living alone on the island for over a year.

- All his clothing at this point was made from goat skin. It’s likely that the island was full of wild goats. Fortunately, Robinson managed to keep his gun, gunpowder, and ammunition. These allowed him to survive by hunting and using goat skin for clothing.

- In addition, Robinson planted wheat with some seeds he salvaged from the wrecked ship and even trapped wild goats to breed them.

- Pay attention to Robinson's equipment. He used the straps on his belt to hang a small saw and a small axe, in addition to his sword and dagger. On the deserted island, Robinson clearly had no enemies. His saw and axe helped him chop wood, build a shelter, and later build fences to protect against wild animals and corral the goats.

→ Through his clothing and equipment, Robinson demonstrates extraordinary determination, an iron will, and a survival spirit that nothing can defeat.

Question 4 (Page 129, Literature Textbook, Grade 9, Volume 2):

How is Robinson's optimistic spirit, despite the hardships, reflected through his self-portrait and narrative voice?

Answer:

- Despite his harsh life, Robinson never complains. With his unusual outfit and the clutter of tools, including the axe and saw, one might think of him as a ruler of his own island.

- His storytelling tone carries humor and reflects his optimistic spirit. A particularly funny moment is when he describes his mustache, comparing its large, pointed shape to a hat hook.

- In a situation as difficult as Robinson's, many people would have given up, become discouraged, and possibly died. But Robinson is different. He holds onto life, striving to improve it, refusing to be conquered by nature.

- This is the lesson we can draw from his story.

Main Idea

The work highlights the difficult and harsh reality of Robinson's life and the challenges he faces. Through his circumstances, the story reveals Robinson’s optimistic spirit and courage in the face of adversity.