Crusoe's Priorities

Crusoe farming

1. Water
2. Food
3. Security
4. Roof
5. Rest
6. Fuel
7. Organization
8. Agriculture
9. Comfort

From the list, it is evident that security is one of the most important things to Crusoe. When Crusoe first arrives on the island, his primary concern is security and thus he chooses the most secure place he can possibly find on the first night, which happens to be a up within a boxthorn, and arms himself with one of its branches. The value of security is also displayed in in the construction of the hut of crates where he would first create a barricade using the crates before pitching up the tent. The same order of construction is also applied to the fortification, demonstrating that more important than the roof which provides him protection from the elements, is the wall that protects him from predators. After Crusoe finds the the footprint in the sand, security becomes even more important, rising above food as a priority.

"the concern that was now upon me, put an end to all invention, and to all the contrivances that I had laid for my future accommodations and conveniences. I had the care of my safety more now upon my hands than that of my food. I cared not to drive a nail, or chop a stick of wood now, for fear the noise I might make should be heard"

Organization is unexpectedly above agriculture and comfort for Crusoe. The importance on organization may be an influence from Defoe. Defoe, after going through experiences such as the London fire and the the Plague, may be aiming to create an idealized civilization through Robinson Crusoe and perhaps because he feels that organization is essential to the construction of a healthy civilization, he stresses the factor of organization within Crusoe's shelters.