Moll Flanders Criticism
Moll Flanders, originally titled The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders, is a key text in the English literary canon by Daniel Defoe, published in 1721. This novel is notable for its complex exploration of themes such as capitalism, legal reform, and feminism, with its vivid female protagonist serving as a central figure in these discussions. The narrative follows Moll's life from her birth in Newgate Prison to her adventures across England and America, as she navigates through crime, repentance, and eventual prosperity. Moll's story, a first-person account that often deviates from traditional criminal autobiographies, serves as a critique of the social and political structures of the time.
Defoe's background, including his experience in trade, politics, and as a writer, informs his portrayal of Moll's quest for financial independence and moral redemption. His own life of financial struggle and political advocacy is mirrored in Moll's fictional journey. As noted by Lois Chaber, the novel reflects matriarchal and Marxist themes, examining the intersections of gender and economic power. Moll's repeated marriages and her engagement with crime highlight her resilience and the limited societal options available to women, adding layers to her portrayal as a symbol of female struggle for autonomy.
The critical reception of Moll Flanders has evolved significantly. Initially dismissed by figures like Sir Walter Scott as unfit for "good society," the novel gained recognition in the 20th century, with modernist authors like Virginia Woolf and E. M. Forster acknowledging its merit. Critics such as Michael F. Suarez and Steven C. Michael have explored the novel's moral underpinnings and linguistic complexities. Furthermore, Beth Swan highlights its commentary on legal reform, while Thomas Grant Olson investigates its treatment of kinship taboos. These analyses underscore the novel's enduring relevance and its multifaceted approach to examining societal dynamics.
Overall, Moll Flanders is celebrated as a classic of English literature, offering rich material for discussions on gender, economics, and morality. Its capacity to inspire diverse critical interpretations ensures its continued study and appreciation in literary scholarship.
Contents
- Principal Works
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Essays
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Matriarchal Mirror: Women and Capital in Moll Flanders.
(summary)
In the following essay, Chaber explicates some of the Marxist and matriarchal themes of Defoe's novel.
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Moll Flanders, Incest, and the Structure of Exchange
(summary)
In this essay, Pollak explores the role of incest in Moll's struggle for financial, linguistic, and sexual autonomy.
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Retelling Moll's Story: The Editor's Preface to Moll Flanders
(summary)
In the following essay, Langford discusses how the editor's preface to Moll Flanders should affect the reading of the novel.
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Thinking Parables: What Moll Flanders Does Not Say
(summary)
In the essay that follows, Michael examines the “apparent absence of a moral center” in Moll Flanders, and applies the work of several Postmodern theorists to demonstrate the ways in which Moll's language is a form of capital.
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The Shortest Way to Heaven? Moll Flanders' Repentance Reconsidered
(summary)
In the following essay, Suarez argues that Defoe stresses the insincerity of Moll's repentance with deliberate irony.
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Moll Flanders: The Felon as Lawyer
(summary)
In the following essay, Swan places Moll's trial at Newgate into context as a didactic comment on legal reform, highlighting the role of “judicial discourse” in Moll's narrative.
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Reading and Righting Moll Flanders
(summary)
In the following essay, Olson explores the relationship between language and kinship taboos in Defoe's novel.
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Matriarchal Mirror: Women and Capital in Moll Flanders.
(summary)
- Further Reading