Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe

1. Journal Prompt:In your opinion, what is the relationship between poverty and crime? Is it so straightforward as to say that where there is poverty, there will also be crime? Try to expand your response beyond that conclusion.

2. Moll Flandersby Daniel Defoe A Historical Background

3. Daniel Defoe • Born in London in 1660 • Wrote Moll Flanders, Robinson Crusoe, hundreds of political tracts and pamphlets, books on history, economics, and geography, and guides to family living and business success

4. Defoe’s Early Life • Father, James Foe, butcher and candlemaker • Dissented from teachings of Church of England – Protestantism • Denied access to business and political circles • Defoe studied at Newington Green to become Presbyterian minister • Left to enter clothing trade • 1684: Married Mary Tuffley • Changed name to de Foe or Defoe to look more aristocratic • 1692: War in France hurt his business and he went bankrupt

5. Defoe’s Political Life • Secret agent and propagandist for William of Orange • Protestant who reigned from 1688-1702 • Defoe produced pamphlets in support of King William • 1702: Queen Anne took throne • Defoe arrested for writing The Shortest Way with the Dissenters – a satire on religious intolerance • Spent 3 years in Newgate Prison

6. Defoe the Novelist • First authentic novelist • 1719: Published first and most famous novel, Robinson Crusoe • 1722: Published Moll Flanders and A Journal of the Plague Year • Novels appealed to the middle class • Explored psychological motivations of unified and believable characters

7. Economic Context • Transformation of the social, economic, and political structure • 1690s-1730s: Bank of England founded, rise of the stock market, growth of trading companies • Economic pamphlets defended pursuit of economic self-interest as a right and responsibility • Novels explored irrational aspects of the pursuit of private gain

8. Religious Context • Puritan beliefs • Divine Providence: The foreknowing and protective care of God (or nature, etc.); divine direction, control, or guidance. (Taken from the OED) • “Human life, especially for Puritans (such as Defoe’s family), was a testing of the soul, a pilgrim’s progress that would end either in despair and damnation (as is the fate of the protagonist of Defoe’s final novel, Roxana) or in conversion from sin and the expectation of eternal happiness” (Blewett 11).

9. The FORTUNES and MISFORTUNES Of the Famous Moll Flanders, &c.Who was Born in NEWGATE, and during a Life of continu’d Variety for Threefcore Years, befides her Childhood, was Twelve year a Whore, five times a Wife (whereof once to her own Brother) Twelve Year a Thief, Eight Year a TranfportedFelon in Virginia, at laft grew Rich, liv’dHoneft, and died a Penitent.Examine the words Defoe chooses to describe Moll Flanders. Consider their connotations – in both today’s society and in the society of the 18th century. What does this title page reveal about the protagonist? How might original readers have responded to it?