Born in Newgate prison, Moll Flanders navigates a precarious existence defined by social instability and the constant struggle for economic survival. Driven by a desperate need for security, the protagonist maneuvers through a series of marriages, criminal enterprises, and social transformations. Her objective is to secure a stable life, yet she is repeatedly thwarted by the rigid class structures and moral expectations of 17th-century England. The narrative is presented as a first-person memoir, offering an intimate, often calculating perspective on her own moral compromises and eventual redemption.

Readers and critics frequently analyze the work as a foundational text in the development of the English novel. Discussion often centers on the ambiguity of Moll’s character, as she oscillates between being a sympathetic survivor and a morally questionable opportunist. Scholars highlight the effectiveness of Defoe’s realistic prose in grounding the narrative’s more sensational elements. The text remains a subject of debate regarding its status as a moralizing tale versus a pragmatic study of human behavior. Many readers find the pacing brisk and the protagonist's voice remarkably consistent throughout her various life stages.