Name: Moll Flanders
Author: Daniel Defoe
ISBN: 9780192815705

Moll Flanders

Daniel Defoe

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Author Description

First published in 1722, MOLL FLANDERS is called the first social novel in English. It is the tale of the unfortunate Moll Flanders, forced into a life of prostitution and crime until fate bestows fortune upon her. Racy, ironic, rich in realistic sociological detail, it is also a tale of romance, with Moll in quest of a familial paradise where she can reside at its charmed center.

Menrva's Summary

THE PULSE

Born in Newgate Prison, Moll Flanders navigates a precarious existence defined by social instability and the constant threat of destitution. Driven by a desperate need for financial security and social standing, the protagonist moves through various marriages, criminal enterprises, and periods of forced labor. Her path is obstructed by rigid class structures, the volatility of the 18th-century economy, and her own moral compromises. The narrative is presented as a first-person confession, detailing her life from childhood to her eventual repentance and prosperity.

INSIDE THE PAGES

First-person confessional narrative style
Detailed sociological observations of 18th-century London
Picaresque structure following a series of episodic adventures
Exploration of the intersection between poverty and criminality
Examination of gender roles and economic dependency
Realistic depiction of the penal system and colonial transportation
Ironic tone regarding social morality and personal ambition
Focus on the pursuit of familial and financial stability

THE COLLECTIVE ECHO

Readers and critics frequently identify this 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 a victim of circumstance and a calculated opportunist. Scholars highlight the text's effectiveness in capturing the gritty atmosphere of the period through its precise, journalistic prose. Many readers note that the pacing remains brisk due to the constant shift in the protagonist's fortunes. The thematic focus on the survival strategies of women in a restrictive society continues to generate significant academic interest.

Page Count:
432

Publication Date:
1982-03-11

Publisher:
Oxford University Press

ISBN-10:
0192815709

ISBN-13:
9780192815705

Adventure

Historical

classic

Picaresque

Social Realism