Feminine Self-quest Reflected In Daniel Defoe's Moll Flanders

Moll Flanders has endured hundreds of years of changing tastes. Some critics say that it has secured Daniel Defoe's position as the father of the novels. As the first female protagonist in Daniel Defoe's novels with first-person narrators, Moll Flanders emerges as an extraordinary character. Moll's life is full of romance; she used to be a mistress, thief, pick-pocket, and bigamist. Placed in a man-dominated, money-dominated world as an orphan, she has undergone endless setbacks and hardships. To avoid the deadly poverty and break the chains on her the very day she was born, she fights against Fortune's wheel and becomes a strong-willed, intelligent, resourceful, and attractive woman who ultimately flourishes in a secure and well-provided old age.This thesis attempts to discuss feminine self-quest from Moll's quest for marital security, economic independence and spiritual salvation. Born in Newgate, her sense of isolation enables her to find protection from man, money and God. The thesis is divided into three chapters. The first chapter analyzes Moll's marital career and her endeavor to ensure security by marrying a good husband in terms of the social background of the marriage market in eighteenth century. Chapter Two focuses on Moll's quest for economic independence from a low birth to final prosperity. With the development of commerce and trade in eighteenth century, money plays an increasingly important role in people's daily life. Through Moll's endeavor to obtain economic independence, this chapter narrates the passivity and helplessness of women as well as their adamancy and intelligence in difficulty. Chapter Three deals with Moll's quest for spiritual salvation on her way to final prosperity and explores her penitence, metamorphoses, and rebirth. Centering on the heroine's persistent quest, this paper probes into the social status of women in eighteenth century and their concern for marriage, money and spirit.