An American Robinson Crusoe for American Boys and Girls

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22309

Title

An American Robinson Crusoe for American Boys and Girls

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

An educational adaptation of Robinson Crusoe tailored for American children, this narrative follows a boy who, after running away from home to sail, is shipwrecked and must survive alone. Blending adventure with practical lessons in industry, science, and moral growth, the story emphasizes self-reliance, the development of useful skills, and the importance of obedience and hard work.

Summary up to 500 words

In Samuel B. Allison's *An American Robinson Crusoe for American Boys and Girls*, the story follows Robinson Crusoe, a boy from New York who neglects his education and work to daydream about sailing. Despite his father's warnings and his mother's pleas, driven by a desire to see distant lands, he runs away at age nineteen to join a friend on a voyage to Africa. The journey is cut short by a violent storm and shipwreck, leaving Robinson stranded on a remote island with no provisions. Initially terrified and ill-equipped, Robinson undergoes a profound transformation from an idle youth into a capable survivor. He constructs a shelter, creates tools, and eventually establishes a thriving life over twenty-eight years. His ingenuity leads him to cultivate crops, raise livestock, tame parrots, and master the art of making fire and baskets. The narrative emphasizes the development of human progress through industry and scientific observation. A pivotal moment occurs when Robinson rescues a white man and a native named Friday from a group of savages. The rescued white man is revealed to be Friday's father, a Spaniard who had been captured during a tribal war. Their reunion brings great joy, and the two men eventually help Robinson prepare for his return. After a long wait, a Spanish ship arrives, offering passage home. Before departing, Robinson leaves his possessions to Friday and the Spaniard, though Friday tragically dies of grief upon learning that his father has passed away before they could reunite. Upon returning to New York, Robinson finds his parents aged and his mother deceased from sorrow. He reconciles with his father, who forgives him, and Robinson takes over the family business. The story concludes with Robinson dedicating his life to teaching idle boys the value of industry, useful living, and the importance of obedience, ensuring that his experiences serve as a moral lesson for the next generation.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Local file path

data/epubs/pg22309.epub

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Categories

• Adventure
• Fiction