Summary
After twenty-eight years on the island, Crusoe finally returns to England, only to discover he's a stranger in his own homeland. His family is mostly dead, his old benefactor has fallen on hard times, and he has little money to restart his life. But then comes an extraordinary turn of fortune. When Crusoe travels to Lisbon to investigate his long-abandoned Brazilian plantation, he discovers he's become incredibly wealthy. His plantation partner has faithfully maintained his share, and the accumulated profits make Crusoe worth over five thousand pounds—a fortune in his time. The shock of sudden wealth literally makes him ill, requiring medical attention. More importantly, Crusoe immediately uses his newfound riches to repay old debts of gratitude, generously rewarding the Portuguese captain who first saved him and providing for the widow who managed his affairs years earlier. However, wealth brings new anxieties—where to safely store his money, whom to trust, how to manage his affairs. When preparing to return to England, Crusoe experiences strong intuitive warnings against sea travel. Trusting these instincts, he chooses an overland route through Spain and France. His decision proves wise—the ships he almost took are destroyed, with most passengers lost. The chapter reveals how true wealth isn't just money, but the wisdom to use it well and the courage to trust your inner voice when making life-changing decisions.
Coming Up in Chapter 19
The overland journey through the Pyrenees turns deadly when Crusoe's party encounters wolves and bears in the snowy mountains. Friday's wilderness skills will be put to the ultimate test in a life-or-death struggle with wild beasts.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
RETURN TO ENGLAND Having done all this I left them the next day, and went on board the ship. We prepared immediately to sail, but did not weigh that night. The next morning early, two of the five men came swimming to the ship’s side, and making the most lamentable complaint of the other three, begged to be taken into the ship for God’s sake, for they should be murdered, and begged the captain to take them on board, though he hanged them immediately. Upon this the captain pretended to have no power without me; but after some difficulty, and after their solemn promises of amendment, they were taken on board, and were, some time after, soundly whipped and pickled; after which they proved very honest and quiet fellows. Some time after this, the boat was ordered on shore, the tide being up, with the things promised to the men; to which the captain, at my intercession, caused their chests and clothes to be added, which they took, and were very thankful for. I also encouraged them, by telling them that if it lay in my power to send any vessel to take them in, I would not forget them. When I took leave of this island, I carried on board, for relics, the great goat-skin cap I had made, my umbrella, and one of my parrots; also, I forgot not to take the money I formerly mentioned, which had lain by me so long useless that it was grown rusty or tarnished, and could hardly pass for silver till it had been a little rubbed and handled, as also the money I found in the wreck of the Spanish ship. And thus I left the island, the 19th of December, as I found by the ship’s account, in the year 1686, after I had been upon it eight-and-twenty years, two months, and nineteen days; being delivered from this second captivity the same day of the month that I first made my escape in the long-boat from among the Moors of Sallee. In this vessel, after a long voyage, I arrived in England the 11th of June, in the year 1687, having been thirty-five years absent. When I came to England I was as perfect a stranger to all the world as if I had never been known there. My benefactor and faithful steward, whom I had left my money in trust with, was alive, but had had great misfortunes in the world; was become a widow the second time, and very low in the world. I made her very easy as to what she owed me, assuring her I would give her no trouble; but, on the contrary, in gratitude for her former care and faithfulness to me, I relieved her as my little stock would afford; which at that time would, indeed, allow me to do but little for her; but I assured her I would never forget her former kindness to me; nor did I forget her...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Sudden Fortune - When Money Changes Everything
Sudden wealth creates new problems while solving old ones, testing character through the choices it enables.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify people who suddenly appear when you have money, offering deals that sound perfect but feel wrong.
Practice This Today
Next time someone approaches you with a 'perfect opportunity' right after you mention having money, ask yourself: where were they when you had nothing?
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Portuguese captain
The sea captain who originally rescued Crusoe from slavery and helped him establish his Brazilian plantation. He represents loyalty and integrity in business relationships. Throughout the story, he faithfully manages Crusoe's interests for decades without stealing.
Modern Usage:
Like a financial advisor or business partner who manages your investments honestly while you're away, even when they could easily cheat you.
Plantation shares
Crusoe owned half of a sugar plantation in Brazil before his shipwreck. His partner continued running it and saved Crusoe's profits for nearly three decades. This represents passive income and the power of compound growth over time.
Modern Usage:
Similar to owning stock in a company or having a business partner who runs things while you're away - the profits keep accumulating even when you're not actively working.
Bills of exchange
18th-century financial instruments that allowed people to transfer money across countries without carrying physical gold or coins. They were like early checks or wire transfers, essential for international trade.
Modern Usage:
Today's equivalent would be wire transfers, cashier's checks, or electronic banking - ways to move large amounts of money safely across distances.
Overland route
Traveling by land through multiple countries instead of by sea. Crusoe chooses to travel through Spain and France to reach England rather than sailing directly. This was slower but sometimes safer than ocean voyages.
Modern Usage:
Like choosing to drive cross-country instead of flying, or taking a longer but safer route to avoid known dangers.
Providence
Divine guidance or God's protective care. Crusoe believes God warns him against taking certain ships, and when those ships are lost at sea, he sees this as proof of divine intervention in his life.
Modern Usage:
When people say they had a 'gut feeling' that saved them from danger, or talk about things happening 'for a reason' - trusting intuition or fate.
Relics
Objects kept as reminders of important experiences. Crusoe takes his goat-skin cap, umbrella, and parrot from the island as physical memories of his survival years.
Modern Usage:
Like keeping souvenirs from a significant trip, or holding onto items that remind you of a difficult but important time in your life.
Characters in This Chapter
Robinson Crusoe
Protagonist returning to civilization
After 28 years of isolation, Crusoe must navigate returning to a world that has moved on without him. He discovers unexpected wealth but also faces the anxiety of managing money and making major life decisions.
Modern Equivalent:
Someone returning from military deployment or prison who finds their old life completely changed
The Portuguese captain
Loyal friend and business manager
Represents integrity and faithfulness in business relationships. He has honestly managed Crusoe's plantation interests for decades and provides detailed accounting of all profits.
Modern Equivalent:
The trustworthy financial advisor or business partner who manages your affairs honestly while you're away
The widow
Faithful caretaker of Crusoe's affairs
She managed some of Crusoe's money and belongings in England. Though she has fallen on hard times, she maintained her integrity. Crusoe rewards her generosity and faithfulness.
Modern Equivalent:
The neighbor or family friend who watched your house and handled your mail while you were away for years
The plantation partner
Honest business associate
Crusoe's Brazilian business partner who continued running their sugar plantation and faithfully saved Crusoe's share of profits for nearly three decades without stealing any of it.
Modern Equivalent:
The business co-owner who keeps the company running and your share of profits safe while you're unable to participate
Key Quotes & Analysis
"I was now master, all on a sudden, of above five thousand pounds sterling in money, and had an estate, as I might well call it, in the Brazils, of above a thousand pounds a year, as sure as an estate of lands in England."
Context: When Crusoe discovers the full extent of his accumulated wealth from the Brazilian plantation
This quote captures the shock of sudden wealth after years of having nothing. It shows how passive income can grow dramatically over time, and how Crusoe now faces entirely new problems - managing money instead of just surviving.
In Today's Words:
Suddenly I was rich - I had over five thousand pounds in cash and property in Brazil bringing in over a thousand pounds every year, which was like owning prime real estate.
"It is impossible to express the flutterings of my very heart when I looked over these letters, and especially when I found all my wealth about me."
Context: Crusoe's physical and emotional reaction to discovering his accumulated wealth
Shows that sudden good fortune can be as overwhelming as disaster. Crusoe literally becomes ill from the shock, revealing how major life changes - even positive ones - can be physically and emotionally destabilizing.
In Today's Words:
I can't describe how my heart was racing when I read those letters and realized how much money I had - it was almost too much to handle.
"I had a strong impulse upon my mind against going by sea at all, at least not by the English ships."
Context: Crusoe's intuitive warning against taking certain ships back to England
Demonstrates the importance of trusting your instincts, especially after surviving extreme situations. Crusoe has learned to listen to his inner voice, which proves wise when the ships he avoided are destroyed.
In Today's Words:
I had this really strong gut feeling that I shouldn't travel by ship, especially not on the English vessels.
Thematic Threads
Wealth
In This Chapter
Crusoe discovers he's wealthy but finds money brings anxiety and complex decisions about trust and investment
Development
Evolved from survival concerns to questions about how to manage abundance responsibly
In Your Life:
You might experience this when getting a raise, inheritance, or any financial windfall that changes your options.
Gratitude
In This Chapter
Crusoe's first impulse is to repay the Portuguese captain and widow who helped him years earlier
Development
Builds on earlier themes of human connection and debt, showing matured understanding of reciprocity
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when considering how to acknowledge people who supported you during difficult times.
Intuition
In This Chapter
Crusoe trusts his gut feeling against sea travel and chooses overland route, saving his life
Development
Developed from island survival instincts into sophisticated life navigation tool
In Your Life:
You might experience this when something feels wrong about a job offer, relationship, or major decision despite looking good on paper.
Trust
In This Chapter
Wealth forces Crusoe to evaluate whom to trust with his money and business affairs
Development
Evolved from island isolation to complex social navigation requiring judgment about others' motives
In Your Life:
You might face this when deciding which family members, friends, or professionals to involve in your financial decisions.
Identity
In This Chapter
Crusoe must reconcile his new wealthy identity with his memories of poverty and survival
Development
Continued evolution from castaway to civilized man, now adding the complexity of social class change
In Your Life:
You might struggle with this when your circumstances improve but you still feel like the person who had less.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What happens to Crusoe when he discovers his wealth in Brazil, and how does his body react to the news?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Crusoe immediately use his money to repay old debts instead of buying things for himself?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see people today struggling with sudden wealth or unexpected money - lottery winners, inheritance, settlements, or even just a big raise?
application • medium - 4
How would you handle it if you suddenly came into a large sum of money - who would you tell, what would you do first, and what mistakes would you try to avoid?
application • deep - 5
What does Crusoe's response to wealth reveal about the difference between having money and having wisdom about money?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Create Your Windfall Action Plan
Imagine you just received $50,000 unexpectedly - inheritance, settlement, or work bonus. Before you spend a dime, create a step-by-step plan for the first 30 days. What would you do first, second, third? Who would you tell and when? What debts or favors would you want to repay? Write out your plan as if it could really happen tomorrow.
Consider:
- •Think about people who helped you when you had nothing - do they deserve consideration now?
- •Consider who might suddenly become very interested in your friendship once word gets out
- •Remember that the decisions you make in the first few weeks often set the pattern for how the money gets used
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you had more money than usual (tax refund, bonus, gift) - how did it change your relationships or create unexpected stress? What would you do differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 19: The Bear Dance and Wolf Pack
Moving forward, we'll examine humor and confidence can defuse dangerous situations, and understand teamwork and strategic thinking matter in crisis moments. These insights bridge the gap between classic literature and modern experience.