第5單元　冒險小說作家

Daniel Defoe

1Do you find the description of Crusoe’s setting up the tent convincing? Could you think of better ways to build a shelter in his situation?

Key: Yes, I think it is convincing. Crusoe takes everything into his consideration and makes sure his shelter is comfortable and safe. He takes advantage of the natural resources. Perhaps, there is no way to build a better one than his.

2What do you think of Crusoe’s way of marking time? Why is it important for him to keep track of time?

Key: I think it’s a good way.

The reason is that Crusoe is a civilized man and time is very valuable to him. In fact, he represents the hard-working middle class, and has the sense of working hard and cherishing time.

3From this excerpt, what do you find admirable in Robinson Crusoe?

Key: From this excerpt, we can find many admirable characteristics in Robinson Crusoe. He is adventurous, practical, thoughtful, hard-working, brave, shrewd, energetic, optimistic, strong-minded and kind-hearted… Under the special circumstance, Crusoe shows many good and valuable qualities of human beings.

Jonathan Swift

1In what ways are Yahoos comparable to human beings in Gulliver’s Travels? Comment on the Houyhnhnms’ attitude toward human beings.

Key: Both human beings and Yahoos are warlike, greedy, jealous, gluttonous and filthy… What’s more, they eat everything that they can find no matter the food is good or bad for them; they would be sick because of nastiness and greediness; they would suffer from depression because of their idleness; the female Yahoos have nasty qualities, such as lewdness, coquetry, censure and scandal. Yahoos and human beings have many features in common.

The Houyhnhnms’ attitude toward human beings is critical, malicious and objective. They are not slandering, for human beings indeed have all the defects that the Houyhnhnms have mentioned. It seems that they know about human beings clearly and they compare Yahoos and humankind in a very elaborative way. Their points of view are very convincing.

2What are the symbolic meanings of Yahoos and Houyhnhnms?

Key: Yahoos and Houyhnhnms represent the evil human nature and good qualities of humankind respectively.