Daniel Defoe (1660-1731)

Daniel Defoe is considered the father of the English and the European novel. It was due to him that the genre became once and forever established in European literature.

Daniel Defoe's life was complicated and adventurous. He was the son of a London butcher whose name was Foe, to which Daniel later added the prefix De. His father wanted his son to become a priest. Daniel was educated at a theological school. But he never became a priest. He became a merchant. He travelled in some coun­tries on business. Defoe was not a success in business but these trav­els gave him material for his future novels.

Daniel Defoe took an active part in the political life of Britain. He participated in the revolt against James II. The revolt was defeat­ed and Defoe had to hide himself for some time. His political activ­ity had ups and downs. He was even imprisoned for his attack against the Church.

In 1690s Daniel Defoe turned to literature. His first works were satirical poems dealing with the urgent problems of his time. Later he published a satirical pamphlet, written in support of the Protestants, persecuted by the government and the Church. For the pamphlet Defoe was arrested and imprisoned.

At the age of 60 he wrote his first and most popular novel “The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe”. It was followed by some other novels of adventure.

Ex.5 Look through the text again and translate the following words and word-combinations:

Merchant, revolt, satirical, to put ashore, to rescue, footprint, behaviour, listlessness, spiritual, to survive, a mariner, alien.

Ex.6 Find in the text the English equivalents for the following:

Насущный,  приключение, успех, священник, преследовать, опасный,  мясник, иметь дело с, именно благодаря ему ...; этот жанр раз и навсегда утвердился (обосновался) в...; он принимал активное участие в политической жизни; он участвовал в восстании против ...; Дефо пришлось прятаться (скрываться) в течение какого-то времени; он опубликовал ...; ..., написанный в поддержку ...; он был арестован и заключен в тюрьму; в возрасте шестидесяти лет... .

Ex.7 Correct the statements if necessary:

1. Daniel Defoe is considered the father of English poetry. 2. His life was complicated and adventurous. 3. His father wanted him to become a sailor. 4. Defoe was a success in business. 5. His political activity had ups and downs. 6. For the novel“ Robinson Crusoe” he was arrested.

Ex.8 Give questions to which the following sentences are the answers:

1. It was due to him that the genre became once and forever established in European literature. 2. He became a merchant. 3. He participated in the revolt against James II. 4. In 1690s Daniel Defoe turned to literature. 5. At the age of 60 he wrote his first and most popular novel.  

Ex.9 Use the text to enlarge the given statements:

1. Daniel Defoe's life was … . 2. Daniel Defoe took an active part … . 3. His first works were … . 4. As a journalist Defoe … . 5. Robinson Crusoe is a story based … . 6. Crusoe meets … . 7. After several lone years. … .

Ex.10 Answer the following questions:

1. Was Daniel Defoe’s life easy?

2. Where was he educated?

3. Where did he find the material for his novels?

4. Was he active in political life of Britain?

5. When did he turn to literature?

6. What is the most popular novel of his?

7. For how many years did Crusoe stay at the island?

Ex.11 Reorder the items of the plan according to the logic of the text. Describe item 6 of the plan in detail.

1. His first works were satirical poems dealing with the urgent problems of his time.

2. Robinson Crusoe (1719) - based on the story of William Selkirk, who went to sea in 1704 and was put ashore at his own request.

3. It was due to him that the genre became once and forever established in European literature. 4. Later he published a satirical pamphlet, written in support of the Protestants, persecuted by the government and the Church.

5. He participated in the revolt against James II.

Ex.12 Give a written summary of the text in 5-7 sentences.

Text 4

Ex.1 Translate and memorize the following words:

To bring up, dean, grotesque, hyperbole, irony, poverty, private, vicar, distant relative.

Ex.2 Insert the words from exercise 1 in the gaps:

Our main purpose is to … … the new generation. 2. …. was the main topic to speak about during the conference. 3. Who is this man? – He is a … … of mine. 4. Are you making fun of him? – No, it’s just … 5. Who is the … of the faculty? 6. At early 20s he worked as a … .

Ex.3 Translate the following sentences from English into Russian:

1. Jonathan was brought up by his rich uncle Godwin Swift. 2. At 21 Swift went to live in England and became private secretary of a distant relative. 3. With the help of Sir William, Swift got the place of vicar in a small church. 4. Swift's literary work was always connected with his political activity. 5. Swift

criticized the reality using allegorical pictures, hyperbole, grotesque, and irony.

Ex.4 Read the text and give answers to the following questions:

1.When was Jonathan Swift born? 2. Why was his family leaving in poverty? 3. Where did he study? 4. What were his favourite subjects? 5. What did he take in 1692? 6. He became the ideological leader of the English people, didn’t he?