Born in Newgate prison, Moll Flanders navigates a precarious existence defined by social instability and the relentless pursuit of financial security. Throughout her long life, the protagonist employs various survival strategies, including marriage, theft, and deception, to ascend the social hierarchy of 18th-century England. The narrative is presented as an autobiographical account, detailing her moral compromises and eventual transformation. She faces constant opposition from a rigid class structure and the legal consequences of her criminal activities, which force her to adapt her identity repeatedly to avoid destitution.

Readers and critics frequently analyze the work as a foundational example of the picaresque novel, noting its focus on the pragmatic rather than the sentimental. Discussion often centers on the ambiguity of Moll's character, as she oscillates between calculated criminality and genuine remorse. Scholars highlight the effectiveness of Defoe's journalistic style in grounding the narrative in a tangible, gritty reality that reflects the economic anxieties of the era. Many readers find the pacing brisk due to the constant shift in Moll's fortunes, which keeps the focus firmly on her survival mechanics. The text remains a significant subject of study for its portrayal of the intersection between individual agency and systemic social constraints.