The
Webster-Merriam dictionary defines materialism as "a preoccupation with...material rather
than intellectual or spiritual things."
As the story begins, we find
that Crusoe is an impulsive young man, not intellectually or spiritually centered. Crusoe's
father is rich enough to provide for his family, as well as to educate his son so that he might
be a lawyer one day. "Things" come easily to Robinson, and as is the case with so many
of us, he has no concept of what is truly valuable until he has
nothing.
Crusoe feels driven to go to sea. Although everyone he knows tries
to deter him, he will not be stopped. So Crusoe goes to sea. He barely survives the ship's
destruction in a storm--but once he reaches land, even though advised again not to, Crusoe
cannot resist the siren call of the sea.
This trip is
also a disaster: the ship is captured by pirates. Crusoe is enslaved for
two years. When he escapes, he eventually buys a plantation and is very successful.
One example of Crusoe's...
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