A Journal of the Plague Year

Brief Overview

A Journal of the Plague Year by Daniel Defoe is a poignant narrative in which the voice of an anonymous narrator, a London resident, becomes the chronicler of the tragic events of 1665, when the city was gripped by a terrifying outbreak of bubonic plague. Through the lens of personal observation and reflection, the author recreates the atmosphere of anxiety, despair, and hope that prevailed among the inhabitants of the capital. The book brings to life deserted streets, locked houses, ominous bells, and scenes of desperate attempts to escape an invisible enemy. Defoe masterfully blends documentary precision with artistic expressiveness, conveying not only a chronicle of disaster but also the inner world of people—their fears, compassion, and courage in the face of a universal catastrophe.