Summary
Moll Flanders’s life is full of love, crime and deceit. Moll's mother is a convict in Newgate Prison in London. Her mother is eventually transported to America, and Moll Flanders was raised by a foster mother until her teen years. She becomes attached to a household as a servant where she falls for the eldest son who seduced her and then refuses to marry her and convinces her to marry his younger brother. After five years he dies and she begins looking for more men who will provide for her. This lands her 4 more husbands over the course of her life. Husband number two goes bankrupt and leaves her fleeing the country. Husband number three takes her to meet his mother and after three children she learns his mother is actually her mother too! She had married her brother! Once she ended that marriage, she left her two children behind and headed to England. Where she became a mistress to a man whose wife had gone insane. .After a religious awaking he breaks things off and repents for his sins leaving Moll alone, yet again. Moll ends up seducing a banker after entrusting him with her money but while waiting for his divorce to be finalize she become distracted by another supposedly wealthy man. She ends up marrying this "wealthy" man, Lancashire, but soon realizes he is a fraud and leaves him for the banker. After five years the banker becomes bankrupt and dies leaving her and her two children desperate. Moll begins a career perfecting the art of theft, becoming a local legend. However this fame was short lived because she was caught while seducing one of the men she robbed. She was then taken to Newgate prison in London and was reunited with her fourth husband, Lancahire. They both manage to escape the death plenty by traveling to the colonies. She found a plantation waiting for her left to her by her deceased mother is reunited with her brother and children.
Historical Context
Daniel Defoe, The author of Moll Flanders, lived between 1660 and 173. He became a tradesman and participated in Monmouth's Rebellion in 1685, also joining William III's army against James II in 1688. He suffered his share of ups and downs, falling into severe financial and legal trouble in mid-life. He was imprisoned twice throughout his lifetime. Defoe was an outsider among the literary figures because of his class status and religious affiliation. He was educated but did not receive the classical education that other writers of his generation. His religious orientation was toward the Puritan. He devoted most of his writing years to journalism, pamphleteering, and opinion-pieces. Most of his fiction writing took place late in life between 1718 and 1724. Moll Flanders took place in the late 1600s. Within the story Moll sails to Virginia twice. First as the wife of a plantation owner, and second as a convicted criminal sentenced to serve time as a slave. In the late seventeenth century and early eighteenth century, Virginia was an English colony. It was a thriving part of England's economy by the early 1700s. During this period, wealth came prominent, creating a powerful and prosperous business class. This created an attitude that there was lots of money to be made. A idea Moll holds dear to her heart and is the thriving source behind many of her actions. Moll Flanders was not a novel that enjoyed great success at the time of its publication. The boldness of the subject matter scared away many readers. It wasn't until after his death that people where really able to appreciate his works. Although some 19th- and 20th-century critics have belittled Defoe's technical achievements.
Conflict
Man vs Man
Moll is surround by crime and deceit. She is trying to find a man to support her but is constantly lied to and put in situations that cause her despair.
Man vs self
Moll must deal with her transformation from an innocent little girl to a manipulative criminal. She often knows what she is doing is wrong but tries to blame society instead of herself.
Man vs society
Moll is a women in a time that women had to rely on men to provide. This leaves Moll with very little resources and he must resort to unconventional methods of obtaining wealth.
Man vs nature
Moll must deal with the struggles of being a single parent often leaving her children in the care of others. Moll also had to continually seek out new spouses because those she was with would die of sickness.
Man vs technology
Moll had to travel and create fake names in order to keep from getting caught for thief. Although eventually her crimes caught up with her.
Identity
None of the people in Moll Flanders are who they say they are. Even Moll isn’t who she says she is! Every person you encounter within the book have a hidden identity, some we learn of and others remain a mystery long after you’ve turned the last page.
"Moll Flanders Theme of Identity." Shmoop. Shmoop University, 2013. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. <http://www.shmoop.com/moll-flanders/identity-theme.html>.
Criminality
Some sort of crime is being committed with in every chapter of this book, everything from prostitution to murdering. With this being said, it doesn’t mean all the characters are bad people just that some are trapped in circumstances and feel they have no choice but to sin.
"Moll Flanders Theme of Criminality." Shmoop. Shmoop University, 2013. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. <http://www.shmoop.com/moll-flanders/criminality-theme.html>.
Wealth
Money is the driving force of Moll Flanders. Moll needs money in order to achieve freedom from a servant life, to support that freedom, and to let alone enjoy it. Money is what drives Moll to make all of her decisions, both good and bad.
"Moll Flanders Theme of Wealth." Shmoop. Shmoop University, 2013. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. <http://www.shmoop.com/moll-flanders/wealth-theme.html>.
Symbols
The mint
"The Mint." Shmoop. Shmoop University, 2013. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. <http://www.shmoop.com/moll-flanders/mint-symbol.html>.
The Mint is an area near London that Moll moves to when her marriage falls apart. Broke, desperate, and alone, she must hide from his creditors and figure out a way to get her hands on some cash. The Mint seems provides her safety for a short period of time. It foreshadows Moll's future as an all-out criminal. The Mint is on the outskrits of London and is occupied by criminals. Moll's feelings of safety in mint symbolizes the changes taking place within her. She is becoming more hard hearted.
Moll’s Manifesto
"Moll's Manifesto." Shmoop. Shmoop University, 2013. Web. 01 Apr. 2013. <http://www.shmoop.com/moll-flanders/manifesto-symbol.html>.
Moll as a woman symbolizes the very wealth she is trying to obtain. She is a thing of value and just like money, It is passed from place to place. Being used for fame, payments, security. Moll is treated like money by the men in her life. She has little control over her situation, although everyone feels like money is controling them... When it comes down to it. It is us who controls it.
Newgate Prison
"Newgate Prison." Shmoop. Shmoop University, 2013. Web. 01 Apr. 2013. <http://www.shmoop.com/moll-flanders/newgate-prison-symbol.html>.
The shadow of Newgate Prison looms over Moll Flanders through out her life. She was born there and almost dies their. Newgate Prison symbolize Moll's life in many of the major changing points in her life where made through this institution.
Characters
Moll Flanders
Moll is the heroine of the book. She was born in Newgate Prison and abandoned at about a year-and-a-half. She had a my way or the high way attitude about her. She was an extremely beautiful women but very vain. One of Moll's biggest fears was poverty. This fear lead her to countless romantic endeavors and even to crime. She blamed England for it's inadequate support to orphans that lead her to become what she was. throughout the story we see Moll transform from a innocent little girl to a ruthless criminal sentenced to death. Her resourceful nature allowed her to avoid a premature death and move to the colonies with her ex husband, Lancaster, Becoming a successful plantation owner.
SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on Moll Flanders.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. n.d.. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac1GR0lO3hg
29march2008, , dir. Moll Flanders (1996)- Trailer. 1996. Film. 31 Mar 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac1GR0lO3hg>.
Defoe, Daniel. Moll Flanders. Digital image. Photobucket. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. <http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/TheBlackRogue/inkling%20photos/moll.jpg>.
Moll Flanders’s life is full of love, crime and deceit. Moll's mother is a convict in Newgate Prison in London. Her mother is eventually transported to America, and Moll Flanders was raised by a foster mother until her teen years. She becomes attached to a household as a servant where she falls for the eldest son who seduced her and then refuses to marry her and convinces her to marry his younger brother. After five years he dies and she begins looking for more men who will provide for her. This lands her 4 more husbands over the course of her life. Husband number two goes bankrupt and leaves her fleeing the country. Husband number three takes her to meet his mother and after three children she learns his mother is actually her mother too! She had married her brother! Once she ended that marriage, she left her two children behind and headed to England. Where she became a mistress to a man whose wife had gone insane. .After a religious awaking he breaks things off and repents for his sins leaving Moll alone, yet again. Moll ends up seducing a banker after entrusting him with her money but while waiting for his divorce to be finalize she become distracted by another supposedly wealthy man. She ends up marrying this "wealthy" man, Lancashire, but soon realizes he is a fraud and leaves him for the banker. After five years the banker becomes bankrupt and dies leaving her and her two children desperate. Moll begins a career perfecting the art of theft, becoming a local legend. However this fame was short lived because she was caught while seducing one of the men she robbed. She was then taken to Newgate prison in London and was reunited with her fourth husband, Lancahire. They both manage to escape the death plenty by traveling to the colonies. She found a plantation waiting for her left to her by her deceased mother is reunited with her brother and children.
Historical Context
Daniel Defoe, The author of Moll Flanders, lived between 1660 and 173. He became a tradesman and participated in Monmouth's Rebellion in 1685, also joining William III's army against James II in 1688. He suffered his share of ups and downs, falling into severe financial and legal trouble in mid-life. He was imprisoned twice throughout his lifetime. Defoe was an outsider among the literary figures because of his class status and religious affiliation. He was educated but did not receive the classical education that other writers of his generation. His religious orientation was toward the Puritan. He devoted most of his writing years to journalism, pamphleteering, and opinion-pieces. Most of his fiction writing took place late in life between 1718 and 1724. Moll Flanders took place in the late 1600s. Within the story Moll sails to Virginia twice. First as the wife of a plantation owner, and second as a convicted criminal sentenced to serve time as a slave. In the late seventeenth century and early eighteenth century, Virginia was an English colony. It was a thriving part of England's economy by the early 1700s. During this period, wealth came prominent, creating a powerful and prosperous business class. This created an attitude that there was lots of money to be made. A idea Moll holds dear to her heart and is the thriving source behind many of her actions. Moll Flanders was not a novel that enjoyed great success at the time of its publication. The boldness of the subject matter scared away many readers. It wasn't until after his death that people where really able to appreciate his works. Although some 19th- and 20th-century critics have belittled Defoe's technical achievements.
Conflict
Man vs Man
Moll is surround by crime and deceit. She is trying to find a man to support her but is constantly lied to and put in situations that cause her despair.
Man vs self
Moll must deal with her transformation from an innocent little girl to a manipulative criminal. She often knows what she is doing is wrong but tries to blame society instead of herself.
Man vs society
Moll is a women in a time that women had to rely on men to provide. This leaves Moll with very little resources and he must resort to unconventional methods of obtaining wealth.
Man vs nature
Moll must deal with the struggles of being a single parent often leaving her children in the care of others. Moll also had to continually seek out new spouses because those she was with would die of sickness.
Man vs technology
Moll had to travel and create fake names in order to keep from getting caught for thief. Although eventually her crimes caught up with her.
Identity
None of the people in Moll Flanders are who they say they are. Even Moll isn’t who she says she is! Every person you encounter within the book have a hidden identity, some we learn of and others remain a mystery long after you’ve turned the last page.
"Moll Flanders Theme of Identity." Shmoop. Shmoop University, 2013. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. <http://www.shmoop.com/moll-flanders/identity-theme.html>.
Criminality
Some sort of crime is being committed with in every chapter of this book, everything from prostitution to murdering. With this being said, it doesn’t mean all the characters are bad people just that some are trapped in circumstances and feel they have no choice but to sin.
"Moll Flanders Theme of Criminality." Shmoop. Shmoop University, 2013. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. <http://www.shmoop.com/moll-flanders/criminality-theme.html>.
Wealth
Money is the driving force of Moll Flanders. Moll needs money in order to achieve freedom from a servant life, to support that freedom, and to let alone enjoy it. Money is what drives Moll to make all of her decisions, both good and bad.
"Moll Flanders Theme of Wealth." Shmoop. Shmoop University, 2013. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. <http://www.shmoop.com/moll-flanders/wealth-theme.html>.
Symbols
The mint
"The Mint." Shmoop. Shmoop University, 2013. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. <http://www.shmoop.com/moll-flanders/mint-symbol.html>.
The Mint is an area near London that Moll moves to when her marriage falls apart. Broke, desperate, and alone, she must hide from his creditors and figure out a way to get her hands on some cash. The Mint seems provides her safety for a short period of time. It foreshadows Moll's future as an all-out criminal. The Mint is on the outskrits of London and is occupied by criminals. Moll's feelings of safety in mint symbolizes the changes taking place within her. She is becoming more hard hearted.
Moll’s Manifesto
"Moll's Manifesto." Shmoop. Shmoop University, 2013. Web. 01 Apr. 2013. <http://www.shmoop.com/moll-flanders/manifesto-symbol.html>.
Moll as a woman symbolizes the very wealth she is trying to obtain. She is a thing of value and just like money, It is passed from place to place. Being used for fame, payments, security. Moll is treated like money by the men in her life. She has little control over her situation, although everyone feels like money is controling them... When it comes down to it. It is us who controls it.
Newgate Prison
"Newgate Prison." Shmoop. Shmoop University, 2013. Web. 01 Apr. 2013. <http://www.shmoop.com/moll-flanders/newgate-prison-symbol.html>.
The shadow of Newgate Prison looms over Moll Flanders through out her life. She was born there and almost dies their. Newgate Prison symbolize Moll's life in many of the major changing points in her life where made through this institution.
Characters
Moll Flanders
Moll is the heroine of the book. She was born in Newgate Prison and abandoned at about a year-and-a-half. She had a my way or the high way attitude about her. She was an extremely beautiful women but very vain. One of Moll's biggest fears was poverty. This fear lead her to countless romantic endeavors and even to crime. She blamed England for it's inadequate support to orphans that lead her to become what she was. throughout the story we see Moll transform from a innocent little girl to a ruthless criminal sentenced to death. Her resourceful nature allowed her to avoid a premature death and move to the colonies with her ex husband, Lancaster, Becoming a successful plantation owner.
SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on Moll Flanders.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. n.d.. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac1GR0lO3hg
29march2008, , dir. Moll Flanders (1996)- Trailer. 1996. Film. 31 Mar 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac1GR0lO3hg>.
Defoe, Daniel. Moll Flanders. Digital image. Photobucket. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. <http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/TheBlackRogue/inkling%20photos/moll.jpg>.