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Introduction
Published in 1722, Daniel Defoes ‘Moll Flanders’ is a picaresque novel that tells the story of a woman and her struggles for success and survival in 18th-century England society, where key elements include wealth and money. The full title of the novel is ‘The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders.’ Daniel Defoe is regarded as the first authentic novelist and one of the earliest writers to adopt the novel form. Born Daniel Foe, his father, James Foe, was a butcher and candle maker. Defoe initially studied at Newington Green to become a Presbyterian Minister. In 1684, he married Mary Tuffley, and later changed his name to De Foe or Defoe to appear more aristocratic. In 1702, during the reign of Queen Anne, Defoe was arrested for writing ‘The Shortest Way with The Dissenters,’ a satire on religious intolerance, and spent three years in Newgate Prison. He belonged to the middle class and his family was committed to Puritanism. ‘Moll Flanders’ is not as well-known as ‘Robinson Crusoe,’ his first and most popular novel, which was published before ‘Moll Flanders’ in 1719. Defoe is renowned for both his novels and his journalism, and he remains one of the most important moralists writing about family and family life in the early 18th century. ‘Moll Flanders’ incorporates elements of romance, picaresque, Puritan narrative, and crime narratives. Defoe divides the narrative into three parts: Moll’s childhood and early love affairs, her attempts to find domestic and economic security through marriage, and her career as a thief. In essence, the novel explores the challenges of achieving a good life in late 17th and early 18th century England, with its main character, Moll Flanders, embodying the aspirations and struggles of Early Modern England. Moll dedicates her life to attaining wealth and higher social status, exemplifying the values and attitudes of her time. Half of the novel revolves around Moll’s endeavors to secure her future through marriage. Additionally, the novel contains elements of romance, such as the search for lost relatives, social ascent, and the theme of incest.
Marriage and Wealth in Early Modern England Society
In the 18th century, most jobs required significant physical strength, leading to men predominantly occupying these roles. Household chores were time-consuming, with no convenience foods or labor-saving devices available. Consequently, most married women did not work outside the home, as they were occupied with organizing household tasks and managing servants. However, life was challenging for spinsters, who often worked in occupations such as spinning, dressmaking, and midwifery. Unfortunately, many women were relegated to domestic service. Moll, a lower-class character, moves among wealthy families, exposing their vanity and superficiality.
Money represented capitalism and mercantilism during this period. Although successful female traders existed, societal constraints limited their opportunities. Women were expected to bask in the glory of their husbands’ success, reinforcing the notion that marriage was a woman’s primary avenue to financial security. Consequently, women often evaluated their worth and relationships based on monetary considerations. Moll’s actions reflect this mindset, as she measures people and relationships solely by their financial potential. England’s hierarchical social structure allowed for upward and downward mobility. Marriage was a crucial determinant of a woman’s social and economic standing. Moll enters into multiple marriages in pursuit of financial stability, mirroring the prevailing societal norms. While many women aspired to marry for financial security, not all found such stability, as widowhood or abandonment left them vulnerable. A wife’s legal and financial autonomy was severely limited, with her husband controlling family property and decisions. Moll’s desire to attain gentility highlights the societal emphasis on wealth and status. Her aspirations contrast with those of her peers, who envision a life of luxury and social prominence. Moll’s journey reflects the harsh realities faced by women navigating the marriage market, where financial considerations outweigh personal qualities.
Crime and Moll Flanders
Crime was rampant in Early Modern England, with over 200 offenses punishable by death. Executions were frequent, and the government resorted to deporting convicts to British colonies to address prison overcrowding. Publications on crime and criminals proliferated during the early 18th century, reflecting growing concerns about lawlessness. Moll discovers that immorality and criminal activities offer financial rewards and social acceptance unavailable through traditional means. Money empowers her to engage in illicit activities, and she becomes adept at thievery, collaborating with experienced criminals, and mastering the art of theft. Despite her criminal exploits, Moll earns a reputation as a skilled thief, exploiting her notoriety to her advantage. However, her criminal activities eventually catch up with her, leading to her arrest and imprisonment.
Conclusion
‘Moll Flanders’ offers a window into the socioeconomic realities and moral dilemmas of Early Modern England. Moll’s relentless pursuit of wealth and status reflects the societal emphasis on material success and social mobility. Her actions, while morally questionable, underscore the challenges faced by women in a patriarchal society where financial independence is elusive. The novel highlights the interplay between crime, gender, and social order, illustrating how economic necessity drove individuals to engage in illicit activities. Despite her criminal endeavors, Moll’s story serves as a poignant commentary on the enduring quest for security and belonging in a rapidly changing world.
References
- Blewett, D. (1981). Changing Attitudes toward Marriage in the Time of Defoe: The Case of Moll Flanders. Huntington Library Quarterly, 44(2), 77-88. doi:10.2307/3817523
- Defoe, D., & Blewett, D. (Ed.). (1989). The Fortunes and Misfortunes of The Famous Moll Flanders. England: Clays Ltd, St Ives plc.
- Garthine, W. (2003). Crime, Gender, and Social Order in Early Modern England. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
- Jacqueline, E. (1998). Women in Early Modern England 1500-1700. London: UCL Press.
- Keith, W. (2003). English Society 1580-1680. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press.
- Susan, D. A., & Amussen (Ed.). (1993). An Ordered Society and Class in Early Modern England. New York, NY: Columbia University Press.
- Scheuermann, M. (1993). Introduction. In Her Bread To Earn: Women, Money, and Society from Defoe to Austen (pp. 1-11). University Press of Kentucky. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt130jjs6.4
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