Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Carol Frost’s poem “Robinson Crusoe’s Hair” is an evocative and contemplative reflection on the life of Daniel Defoe’s iconic character, Robinson Crusoe. Through rich imagery and poignant details, the poem explores themes of isolation, survival, and the passage of time, while also delving into the more intimate and physical aspects of Crusoe’s solitary existence.

The poem opens with a direct address to Crusoe, invoking a sense of nostalgia and inquiry: “Poor Robin Crusoe, where are you? Where have you been? How came you here?” This line sets the tone for the poem, which delves into the complexities of Crusoe’s life on the deserted island. The mention of “Poll” immediately reminds readers of the parrot that provided Crusoe with a semblance of companionship, highlighting the loneliness that pervades his existence.

Frost then paints a vivid picture of Crusoe’s environment: “The lime tree, the eternal bars and bolts of the sea; the marl cave; his compasses and books of navigation, perspectives, dials; the great heats and no breeze.” These lines convey both the physical and emotional landscapes of Crusoe’s life, emphasizing the harsh conditions and the tools he used to maintain some semblance of order and sanity. The “dog who could not talk to him” and the “parrot who sat on his finger” underscore the theme of communication and companionship, or rather, the lack thereof, that defines Crusoe’s isolation.

The poem juxtaposes Crusoe’s present circumstances with his past experiences and emotions. The list of items, including “barley; goatskin parasol; three good Bibles; the principles of Nature,” serves as a catalog of the things that sustained him physically and spiritually. The comparison to “the hair of coconuts” adds a tactile and earthy element, grounding the abstract concepts in tangible reality.

Frost delves deeper into Crusoe’s inner life, exploring his moments of despair and distraction: “All this balanced against an earlier hardened despairing of dangers, and once, as he rubbed back the new head of hair in a torpor of distraction, the silent ceiling over silent sand, he felt water squeeze from under his lids.” This passage reveals Crusoe’s vulnerability and emotional fragility, showing how the physical act of rubbing his hair can trigger a profound emotional response.

The poem also touches on Crusoe’s relationship with Friday and the tenderness of human contact: “And later when Friday stroked his own father’s face, fed him cakes, and chafed his arms and legs, he cried again.” This moment of care and connection highlights the deep need for human touch and the emotional impact of such interactions, even on someone as hardened by isolation as Crusoe.

Frost then shifts focus to the meticulous record-keeping that Crusoe engaged in: “the last uses of his ink to minute down the days when strange things happened; the broken and imperfect prayers.” These lines capture the essence of Crusoe’s struggle to maintain a sense of normalcy and spirituality in his isolated world. The mention of his illness and the changes in his hair—“chestnut like his father’s falling out, then growing back; he felt the soft stubble at the temples”—adds a layer of physical transformation to his journey.

The final lines of the poem offer a sense of covert joy and resilience: “he read Scriptures, hunted, preserved or cooked his kill, napped, built hedges, and this gave him sometimes such covert joy; he rubbed his fingertips lightly above his ears and behind where the two cords of the neck run, and he could feel the hair multiply, and it came in silvered and very curly, coarse almost.” These lines emphasize the small pleasures and routines that sustained Crusoe, and the tactile sensation of his hair growing back symbolizes renewal and the passage of time.

“Robinson Crusoe’s Hair” is a beautifully crafted poem that captures the essence of Crusoe’s solitary existence through vivid imagery and poignant reflections. Frost’s exploration of the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of Crusoe’s life offers a deep and nuanced understanding of his character, making the poem a profound meditation on isolation, survival, and the enduring human spirit.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...