Daniel Defoe
His Life1
Daniel Defoe was born in 1660, in Cripplegate, London. In 1683, he became a merchant, a profession that allowed him to travel around Great Britain and the Continent for a longer period of time, from 1685 to 1692.
Because of engaging himself in political matters, e.g. joining forces of William of Orange in 1688, he experienced two bankruptcies, the first in 1692, the second eleven years later. He was then also imprisoned in Newgate for his work The Shortest Way with the Dissenters. As punishment he had to stand in the pillory for one hour per day on three consecutive days.
From 1703 to 1714, Daniel Defoe was a secret agent. First experiences in this profession he had gained from 1697 to 1701, as secret agent and confidant of William III. Occupied as such he traveled around England and Scotland influencing people′s opinion. Within the time frame from above, from 1704 to 1713, he was the author and editor of the periodical The Review.
In 1713, he was not only arrested for debt but also imprisoned for three ironic tracts on the Hanoverian succession. Luckily, the Crown pardoned him. Two years later he became a secret agent once more. This time of the Whigs, whom he served in different ways almost until his death. With 59 he wrote his Robinson Crusoe, probably the most famous of his characters. The work and character to be discussed in this paper, Moll Flanders, was written by the 62-year old Daniel Defoe. Two other important writings, Roxana and A tour through the whole island of Great Britain, were published two years later, in 1724.
Daniel Defoe died at the age of 71, at Bunhill Fields, London. He was buried there the same year.
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Table of Contents
1. DANIEL DEFOE
1.1 HIS LIFE
1.2 HIS NOVELS
2. MOLL FLANDERS
2.1 INTRODUCTION
2.2 MAIN PART
2.3 CONCLUSION
Research Objectives and Key Themes
This academic paper examines the complex power dynamics and social constraints defining the relationship between the sexes in Daniel Defoe's novel "Moll Flanders." It investigates how the protagonist’s survival strategies, rooted in a patriarchal 18th-century society, reflect broader struggles for economic independence, agency, and identity within a masculine-dominated world.
- The impact of patriarchal structures on female autonomy and social mobility.
- The nexus between marriage, economic survival, and personal security.
- The evolution of the protagonist from a vulnerable servant to an independent individual.
- Defoe’s portrayal of law-breakers and the societal forces that incline women toward crime.
- The significance of the female narrator and the intended female readership of the 18th century.
Excerpt from the Book
Main Part
Defoe starts his novel with a preface introducing the content of the novel and certain features, like the story having been dressed up, or that the history in it is not written to the full end of its heroine’s life. The actual plot follows right after. The female narrator starts the story of her life by writing about her true name and saying she was known to some of her worst comrades by the name of Moll Flanders, which is why she would speak of herself under that name. Then the circumstances of her birth are introduced. Her mother, having been convicted of felony for a certain petty theft, pleaded her belly and when being transported left the baby of about half a year in bad hands.
Moll's first recollection is the wandering among a crew of gypsies from whom she gets somehow, landing in Colchester, Essex. Being taken up by some parish officers of that town, and being not above three years old, she moves the town's magistrates and becomes one of their own. Consequently the first person known to the reader is her "nurse," a poor woman in better circumstances. At her place she learns to work with needle and spin, which was not uncommon then since girls were usually put to work earlier than boys. Even in families with a good income children were employed.
Summary of Chapters
DANIEL DEFOE: This chapter outlines the life and career of Daniel Defoe, highlighting his experiences as a merchant, political actor, secret agent, and author.
HIS LIFE: Provides a biographical overview of Defoe’s life, including his political entanglements, bankruptcies, and his career as a writer in his later years.
HIS NOVELS: Discusses Defoe's late entry into novel writing and his tendency to create middle-class, critical, and realistic characters who engage with contemporary social issues.
MOLL FLANDERS: Examines the specific novel "Moll Flanders," analyzing the protagonist’s struggles and Defoe's literary choices.
INTRODUCTION: Establishes the context of the novel, focusing on Moll's status as an ordinary woman in a patriarchal, hostile society and her quest for dignity.
MAIN PART: Details the narrative development of the story, from Moll's early life and service to her criminal career and search for economic independence through various relationships.
CONCLUSION: Synthesizes the findings, reflecting on the interplay between sexual, economic, and moral relationships, and the protagonist’s survival in a masculine world.
Keywords
Daniel Defoe, Moll Flanders, 18th Century Literature, Patriarchy, Female Agency, Economic Independence, Marriage Market, Criminality, Social Mobility, Gender Roles, Survival Strategies, Narrative Voice, Social History.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the intricate relationship between the sexes in Daniel Defoe's "Moll Flanders," analyzing how social and economic structures of the 18th century dictated the lives and choices of women.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The paper covers themes such as female survival, the commodification of marriage, economic independence, the struggle against patriarchal constraints, and the representation of women as narrators.
What is the central research objective?
The primary objective is to explore how the protagonist, Moll Flanders, navigates a hostile, male-dominated society to achieve autonomy and security, often through unconventional or criminal means.
Which methodology is employed in this study?
The paper utilizes a literary analysis approach, drawing upon historical context and critical literature to interpret Defoe’s text and the sociopolitical conditions of his time.
What topics are discussed in the main section?
The main section tracks the chronological development of Moll's life—from her upbringing in Colchester to her marriages and eventual transition into a criminal career—as she fights for survival.
How would you characterize the key terms of this work?
The work is characterized by terms reflecting gender dynamics, economic survival, the 18th-century social hierarchy, and the literary characteristics of the picaresque and adventure novel.
How does the author interpret Moll's use of "false names" and secrecy?
The author interprets Moll's adoption of aliases as a survival strategy, highlighting how being known by one's true identity or gender in an unforgiving society could lead to dangerous repercussions.
What is the significance of the "female readership" addressed by the protagonist?
The protagonist’s frequent direct addresses to women suggest that Defoe intended to create a moral and cautionary experience, positioning Moll as an exemplary figure for other women to learn from her successes and mistakes.
- Quote paper
- Silke-Katrin Kunze (Author), 2001, The relationship between the sexes in Defoe´s Moll Flanders, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/4290
