Robinson Crusoe Wealth Quotes Page 3
(Page Number). We used the 2008 Oxford World Classics edition.
| Quote #7 You are to understand, that now I had, as I may call it, two Plantations in the Island; one my little Fortification or Tent, with the Wall about it under the Rock, with the Cave behind me, which by this Time I had enlarg'd into several Apartments or Caves, one within another. One of these, which was the driest, and largest, and had a Door out beyond my Wall or Fortification; that is to say, beyond where my Wall joyn'd to the Rock, was all fill'd up with the large Earthen Pots, of which I have given an Account, and with fourteen or fifteen great Baskets, which would hold five or six Bushels each, where I laid up my Stores of Provision, especially my Corn, some in the Ear cut off short from the Straw, and the other rubb'd out with my Hand. (128) |
While money has no use on the island, Crusoe still manages to accumulate things: two houses, supplies, goods, and so on.
| Quote #8 Well, however, I lugg'd this Money home to my Cave, and laid it up, as I had done that before, which I brought from our own Ship; but it was great Pity as I said, that the other Part of this Ship had not come to my Share; for I am satisfy'd I might have loaded my Canoe several Times over with Money, which if I had ever escap'd to England, would have lain here safe enough, till I might have come again and fetch'd it. (163) |
Though he often claims that money has no use to him, Crusoe seems oddly interested in saving the money he finds – perhaps with the hopes that he might return one day and use it.
| Quote #9 It is impossible to express here the Flutterings of my very Heart, when I look'd over these Letters, and especially when I found all my Wealth about me; for as the Brasil Ships come all in Fleets, the same Ships which brought my Letters, brought my Goods; and the Effects were safe in the River before the Letters came to my Hand. (239) |
The happy ending to this story comes when Crusoe returns to Europe and is rewarded with great wealth from those sugar plantations he had in Brazil. While he has learned a great spiritual lesson, it is with economic prosperity that he finds his reward.
