Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe

Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe, first published in 1722, is a bold and captivating tale of survival, morality, and reinvention in 18th-century England. Told through the voice of its unforgettable heroine, the novel chronicles the tumultuous life of Moll Flanders, a woman determined to rise above poverty and circumstance in a society stacked against her. Synopsis Born in Newgate Prison and abandoned at birth, Moll Flanders spends her life navigating the hardships of class, gender, and fortune. Through wit, beauty, and resourcefulness, she reinvents herself time and again — as a wife, mistress, thief, and adventurer — in pursuit of security and respectability. From the streets of London to the plantations of Virginia, Moll’s story is a whirlwind of romance, deception, and survival, as she reflects candidly on her life of crime, her many marriages, and the moral compromises she made along the way. Key Themes & Features

• Morality and Redemption: Explores sin, repentance, and the possibility of moral renewal.
• Social Inequality: A sharp critique of class, gender, and economic struggle in 18th-century England.
• Female Agency: Moll’s ambition and resilience challenge the limitations placed on women of her time.
• Realism and Confession: Presented as an autobiographical narrative, blending realism with satire.

Why Read It?

• One of the earliest and most influential English novels.
• A complex, daring female protagonist ahead of her time.
• Provides a vivid portrait of London’s criminal underworld and social mobility.
• Combines adventure, romance, and moral reflection in Defoe’s trademark journalistic style.

Moll Flanders is a timeless story of survival, reinvention, and moral reckoning, offering a fascinating glimpse into human ambition and the pursuit of redemption in a world driven by fortune and folly.