
The Fortunes & Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders (aka Moll Flanders ) is a novel by Daniel Defoe, first published in 1722. It purports to be the true account of the life of the eponymous Moll, detailing her exploits from birth until old age.By 1721, Defoe had become a recognised novelist, with the success of Robinson Crusoe in 1719. His political work was tapering off at this point, due to the fall of both Whig and Tory party leaders with whom he had been associated (Robert Walpole was beginning his rise). Defoe was never fully at home with the Walpole group. Defoe's Whig views are nevertheless evident in the story of Moll. The novel's full title gives some insight into this and the outline of the "The Fortunes & Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders, &c. Who was Born in Newgate, & during a Life of continu'd Variety for Threescore Years, besides her Childhood, was Twelve Year a Whore, five times a Wife (whereof once to her own Brother), Twelve Year a Thief, Eight Year a Transported Felon in Virginia, at last grew Rich, liv'd Honest, & died a Penitent. Written from her own Memorandums."
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.
Page Count:
442
Publication Date:
1976-12-16
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0192811940
ISBN-13:
9780192811943
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