Moll Flanders

About “Moll Flanders”

The novel Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe is presented as the true confessions of a passionate and remarkable woman, likely inspired by real experiences of a prisoner in Newgate. It was written as a warning to those who stray from the path of virtue, but the story's lively and vivid character often overshadows its moral message. Moll's life is marked by a series of dramatic experiences: she is a prostitute for twelve years, marries five times—once to her own brother—steals for twelve years, and is sent as a transported felon for eight years. Through her journey, the novel offers a glimpse into the exciting and dangerous world of eighteenth-century lower society.