Robinson Crusoe

Robinson Crusoe was a fictional character who, in the novel by the same name, proved that even the most introverted and perpetually-lonely person could thrive on an uninhabited island.

Born to parents who could not decide on a first name, Robinson Crusoe spent the early years of his life drifting between multiple identities, ranging from Robby to Robbie to even Bob. Eventually, his quest for a stable identity led him to become a mariner.

Robinson’s love for sea voyages got him stranded on an island after a shipwreck, and for the rest of his days, he shared the island only with his vivid imagination and a tribe of friendly cannibals. Despite being the epitome of solitude, Robinson made lemonade out of the coconuts life had given him.

He first optimized his living arrangements by building himself a home out of palm leaves, coconuts, and regret. He also proved to be a jack-of-all-trades, becoming a baker, carpenter, tailor, and even a linguist, thanks to his time spent with the cannibals.

Robinson always had an insatiable desire for human companionship, which was perhaps why he took Friday, one of the cannibals, under his wing. Together, they formed a weirdly functional duo, with Friday teaching Robinson how to hunt and fish for his meals, and Robinson returning the favor by teaching him how to speak the language of the colonizers, which was sure to be a useful skill for Friday’s future human interactions.

But it wasn’t just the cannibals that Robinson had to worry about. If the island had a “Welcome” mat, it would undoubtedly have read, “Enter if you dare.” Robinson experienced an ever-shifting ecosystem on the island, from violent storms to earthquakes to even the occasional lion that would make the visit.

Still, Robinson persevered, providing valuable life lessons to readers everywhere, such as you don’t need wifi to be productive, and that some people function better with little to no human interaction.

In summary, Robinson Crusoe proved that with the right mindset and a few cannibals thrown into the mix, anyone could find happiness and a place in this world, even if it meant being stranded on a small island for the rest of their days.