castaway

A castaway is a person who has survived the wreck of a ship or who is marooned on a coast, island, or other remote location after being stranded at sea. Castaways face isolation, limited supplies, and exposure to the elements, as well as the challenge of signaling for rescue or making contact with potential rescuers. The term can refer to both historical shipwreck survivors and literary or fictional characters.

Historical castaways appear in maritime records and exploration narratives. Notable examples include Alexander Selkirk, whose four-year isolation inspired Robinson Crusoe; such tales have influenced public fascination with survival and self-reliance.

In literature and film, castaway narratives are a subgenre of survival fiction. The archetypal tale is Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Defoe's 1719 novel. Other famous works include The Swiss Family Robinson and the 2000 film Cast Away, which follows a man stranded on a deserted island.

Castaway stories often explore themes of resilience, resourceful problem solving, and the social and psychological aspects of prolonged isolation. They contribute to broader discussions about navigation, maritime risk, and human endurance in extreme environments.