The True Love of Moll Flanders: Money

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how, throughout her long and tumultuous life, the female protagonist of Daniel Defoe's "Moll Flanders" is beset by poverty, lascivious lovers, a proclivity for stealing, and husbands who, whether due to sudden death or depleted funds, don't stick around. It discusses how Moll has ample personal experience to share with readers when it comes to the two entities that have most shaped her character and actions: money and men. It argues how, despite her long succession of lovers, the acquisition of money trumps Moll's feelings toward any of her various men. It also shows how a lust for wealth molds Moll's character early on, after which her romantic feelings for men play a secondary role to her quest for improved finances.

From the Paper:

"In addition, when the two meet up again in jail and she convinces him to be transported to America with her, she only tells him about the half of her finances that she is carrying on her person, keeping the other half a secret (p. 290). She also lies to both her son in America about the existence of James, and to James about the existence of her son so that her having a husband will not be a threat to the son's lavish, monetary gifts (p. 304). In fact, after her generous (and previously abandoned!) offspring makes Moll an offer to come live with him at his wealthy plantation, Moll admits, "I began secretly now to wish that I had not brought my Lancashire Husband from England at all (p. 312)." Moll, used to depending on men financially for most of her married life, finds a husband somewhat annoying and useless when he gets in the way of potential acquisitions of money outside of marriage."

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