Discuss the theme of religion in this novel.

One could
say that is a spiritual autobiography, which charts a soul's long,
tortuous journey to salvation. The book's overriding religious theme is established right from
the outset in the Preface, where Defoe clearly states his intention to "justify and honour
the wisdom of Providence in all the variety of our circumstances."

Having been washed up on a remote desert island full of everything he needs to survive,
Robinson Crusoe arrogantly fails to acknowledge the hand of Providence at work. His main problem
prior to his conversion is that he takes all the bounties of nature for granted; he doesn't see
God at work everywhere like most Christians at the time. This is just the kind of attitude we'd
expect from an unrepentant sinner. Yet over time, Crusoe comes to see the error of his ways and
embraces God in a remarkable act of conversion.

As the name would suggest,
divine Providence provides us with everything we need to survive and flourish upon this earth,
both physically and spiritually. Yet all too often, like Crusoe himself, we're dissatisfied with
our lot and try to turn ourselves into gods, seeking to control the earth and everything in it.
At first, Crusoe shows great arrogance in his attitude towards others, taking to sea against the
advice of his father and the captain of the first ship he sails on. Both of these authority
figures can be seen as substitutes for God; in defying them, Crusoe is defying the Almighty. In
putting out to sea, Crusoe's also going against God's providential social order in the world, in
which the father is supposed to enjoy complete authority over his children.

It is only later on in the story, after his dramatic conversion, that Crusoe puts aside
his selfish attitude to life and finally reconciles himself to the dictates of divine Providence
in all its wondrous majesty. Nevertheless, there are still lapses, even after Crusoe turns to
God. For instance, he seriously contemplates pretending to be a Catholic once more in order to
return to Brazil and claim his estate. This is hardly the kind of behavior one would expect from
a righteous Protestant. But this episode simply illustrates the wider point that, according to
Puritans like Defoe, we are all sinners, and are constantly engaged in a never-ending struggle
against temptation and evil in a sinful, fallen world.