The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders

Key themes

Social Mobility and Class

The novel meticulously details Moll's relentless pursuit of gentility and a higher social standing. Born in Newgate, Moll's greatest ambition is to be a 'gentlewoman,' and nearly all her actions—marriages, deceptions, and even crimes—are driven by this desire to escape her low birth and secure economic stability, which she equates with social status. The novel critiques a rigid class system where merit often matters less than inherited wealth or advantageous connections.

Morality and Hypocrisy

Moll's narrative is a constant negotiation between conventional morality and her pragmatic need for survival. She often expresses remorse for her sins, but her actions frequently contradict her stated principles, especially when economic security is at stake. The novel subtly critiques societal hypocrisy, where outward appearances of virtue are valued over genuine moral conduct, and where wealth can often whitewash past transgressions.

Crime and Punishment

Defoe provides a detailed and often sympathetic portrayal of the criminal underworld in 17th-century London. Moll's descent into crime is depicted as a direct consequence of economic necessity and societal pressures, rather than inherent evil. The novel explores the practicalities of thievery, the justice system's harshness (including transportation), and the moral ambiguities surrounding criminal acts when survival is at stake.

Worth discussing

How does Defoe portray the relationship between economic necessity and moral choices in Moll's life? Can her actions be justified by her circumstances?