Moll Flanders Essay, Research Paper
ting R
ClassicNote on Moll Flanders
Moll Flanders In Its Time:
Moll Flanders, published in 1722, was one of the earliest English novels. Like
many early novels, it is told in the first person as a narrative, and is presented as a
truthful account; at the time the idea of a long, realistic work of fiction was still new.
It is not only an entertaining and captivating story, it also gives a valuable
and lively picture of 17th century society. Defoe?s ability to give us an insight into
the drab and unprivilaged lives of women during the 17th century, sets this novel
appart from many. Although Moll is an exceptional character, based on her ingenuity
and extraordinary life, the problems that Moll faces are firmly rooted in her society.
As the daughter of a transported convict, she begins life at a great disadvantage:
she lacks the support system of family and friends, which were particularly necessary
for women, since their access to employment was limited. Moll herself was very
lucky to be taken in: the parish were under no obligation to take care of penniless
children, or had no other particular claim to charity: ?I was not a parish charge upon
this or that part of the town by law, (Defoe 23).? Moll, as a young girl, is forced to go
into service as a maid. Maids were paid very little, but at least they were fed and
clothed. The fact that women were not able to support themselves legally ( under the
assumption that their husbands or fathers would contribute to their support from
their higher wages) always underlied Moll’s decisions: marriage was the key to
survival.
In the 17th century, crime (mainly theft) really paid, labor was very cheap and
things were very expensive. Theft was not the only illegal occupation open to
women. In the 17th and 18th centuries, prostitution was widespread in London.
Women could hardly make an honest living, and completely lost their reputations if
they were seduced, thus making it almost impossible to get an honest job. A “fallen
woman” had little choice but to remain on the ground. Also, men could not engage in
extramarital sex with respectable women, and commonly married late.
Probably the most visible, and thorough point in the entire novel was: life for
women during the 17th century depended on men and money. Moll?s entire focus in
the first half portion of the novel was who to marry. The entire dependence on men
and their income portrayed exactly how little freedome women were given. Since
women could also be branded for life because of one mistake, most of them turned to
prostitution or theft.
Despite all these difficulties and dangers, the picture Defoe gives of 17th century
England is not altogether black. Its inhabitants seem to enjoy themselves quite a bit
whenever they have a little money. Although the gaiety is rather frenetic, and
pleasure is rarely without attendant dangers, there seems to be no doubt in Moll’s
mind that life is well worth living. Perhaps the spice of danger is what gives Moll
Flanders, and the society it represents, such a vivid and intensely alive quality.
DANIEL DEFOE?S
MOLL FLANDERS
Maria Simeonova
Mr. Faulkner, AP English
ting R
ClassicNote on Moll Flanders
Moll Flanders In Its Time:
Moll Flanders, published in 1722, was one of the earliest English novels. Like
many early novels, it is told in the first person as a narrative, and is presented as a
truthful account; at the time the idea of a long, realistic work of fiction was still new.
It is not only an entertaining and captivating story, it also gives a valuable
and lively picture of 17th century society. Defoe?s ability to give us an insight into
the drab and unprivilaged lives of women during the 17th century, sets this novel
appart from many. Although Moll is an exceptional character, based on her ingenuity
and extraordinary life, the problems that Moll faces are firmly rooted in her society.
As the daughter of a transported convict, she begins life at a great disadvantage:
she lacks the support system of family and friends, which were particularly necessary
for women, since their access to employment was limited. Moll herself was very
lucky to be taken in: the parish were under no obligation to take care of penniless
children, or had no other particular claim to charity: ?I was not a parish charge upon
this or that part of the town by law, (Defoe 23).? Moll, as a young girl, is forced to go
into service as a maid. Maids were paid very little, but at least they were fed and
clothed. The fact that women were not able to support themselves legally ( under the
assumption that their husbands or fathers would contribute to their support from
their higher wages) always underlied Moll’s decisions: marriage was the key to
survival.
In the 17th century, crime (mainly theft) really paid, labor was very cheap and
things were very expensive. Theft was not the only illegal occupation open to
women. In the 17th and 18th centuries, prostitution was widespread in London.
Women could hardly make an honest living, and completely lost their reputations if
they were seduced, thus making it almost impossible to get an honest job. A “fallen
woman” had little choice but to remain on the ground. Also, men could not engage in
extramarital sex with respectable women, and commonly married late.
Probably the most visible, and thorough point in the entire novel was: life for
women during the 17th century depended on men and money. Moll?s entire focus in
the first half portion of the novel was who to marry. The entire dependence on men
and their income portrayed exactly how little freedome women were given. Since
women could also be branded for life because of one mistake, most of them turned to
prostitution or theft.
Despite all these difficulties and dangers, the picture Defoe gives of 17th century
England is not altogether black. Its inhabitants seem to enjoy themselves quite a bit
whenever they have a little money. Although the gaiety is rather frenetic, and
pleasure is rarely without attendant dangers, there seems to be no doubt in Moll’s
mind that life is well worth living. Perhaps the spice of danger is what gives Moll
Flanders, and the society it represents, such a vivid and intensely alive quality.
DANIEL DEFOE?S
MOLL FLANDERS
Maria Simeonova
Mr. Faulkner, AP English
4th hour
320