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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Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Daniel Defoe
- His Life
- His Novels
- Moll Flanders
- Introduction
- Main Part
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
- Primary
- Secondary
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to explore the portrayal of the relationship between the sexes in Daniel Defoe's "Moll Flanders." It examines how Defoe presents women's experiences within the constraints of 18th-century patriarchal society. The analysis considers the novel's narrative voice and its implications for the reader.
- The portrayal of women in 18th-century society
- The exploration of societal constraints on women's choices
- The role of survival and security in shaping Moll's decisions
- The novel's narrative techniques and their effect on the reader
- Defoe's perspective on criminal behavior and its social context
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Daniel Defoe: His Life: This section provides a biographical sketch of Daniel Defoe, highlighting key events in his life, such as his career as a merchant, his involvement in political affairs, his imprisonment, and his subsequent work as a secret agent. It emphasizes the diverse experiences that shaped his writing and offers context for understanding his perspective on social issues, particularly the struggles faced by women and those outside of societal norms. The section also briefly touches upon his prolific writing career, mentioning several important works besides "Moll Flanders," highlighting the breadth of his interests and the historical context in which his novels were written. The account of Defoe's life illuminates the background that influenced his literary production, suggesting a direct link between his experiences and the themes explored in his novels.
Daniel Defoe: His Novels: This chapter discusses Defoe's contribution to the novel form, noting his relatively late start in the genre and his subsequent impact on literary history. The chapter emphasizes the unique features of Defoe's novels, including his blend of adventure story and picaresque traditions, and the introduction of middle-class protagonists like Robinson Crusoe and Moll Flanders. It also highlights the significance of Defoe's use of female narrators, such as in "Moll Flanders" and "Roxana," and their direct address of female readers. The chapter positions Defoe's novels within the broader context of 18th-century literature, emphasizing his innovative use of narrative voice and his engagement with societal issues relevant to both men and women.
Moll Flanders: Introduction: This introductory section provides an overview of "Moll Flanders," focusing on its themes and narrative strategies. It highlights Moll's struggle for dignity and survival in a hostile society, her reflections on her life's events, and her direct addresses to the reader, inviting judgment and moral consideration. The introduction emphasizes the limited choices available to women in the 18th century and the prevalence of prostitution as a means of survival. It also introduces the idea that Moll's character may be based on real-life criminals, thereby increasing the novel's perceived realism. Finally, the section briefly discusses Defoe's own life experiences, hinting at his understanding of the injustices faced by women and his nuanced portrayal of criminal behavior.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Daniel Defoe, Moll Flanders, 18th-century England, women's experiences, patriarchal society, survival, crime, narrative voice, social commentary, female protagonists.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Daniel Defoe's "Moll Flanders"
What is the purpose of this document?
This document serves as a comprehensive preview of an academic analysis of Daniel Defoe's "Moll Flanders." It provides a table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords to offer a structured overview of the work's content and focus.
What topics are covered in the analysis of "Moll Flanders"?
The analysis focuses on the portrayal of women's experiences within the constraints of 18th-century patriarchal society. Key themes include the societal constraints on women's choices, the role of survival and security in shaping Moll's decisions, the novel's narrative techniques and their effect on the reader, and Defoe's perspective on criminal behavior and its social context.
What is included in the "Daniel Defoe: His Life" section?
This section provides a biographical overview of Daniel Defoe, highlighting key life events such as his career as a merchant, political involvement, imprisonment, and work as a secret agent. It emphasizes how these experiences shaped his writing and his perspective on social issues, particularly those faced by women.
What is discussed in the "Daniel Defoe: His Novels" section?
This chapter examines Defoe's contribution to the novel form, his unique narrative style (blending adventure and picaresque traditions), and his use of middle-class protagonists. It also highlights the significance of his female narrators and their direct address to female readers, placing his work within the context of 18th-century literature.
What does the "Moll Flanders: Introduction" section cover?
This section provides an overview of "Moll Flanders," focusing on its themes and narrative strategies. It highlights Moll's struggle for survival, her reflections on her life, and her direct addresses to the reader. It emphasizes the limited choices available to women and the prevalence of prostitution as a means of survival, also discussing the potential basis of Moll's character in real-life criminals.
What are the key themes explored in "Moll Flanders"?
The key themes include the portrayal of women in 18th-century society, the exploration of societal constraints on women's choices, the role of survival and security in shaping Moll's decisions, the novel's narrative techniques, and Defoe's perspective on criminal behavior and its social context.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
The keywords include: Daniel Defoe, Moll Flanders, 18th-century England, women's experiences, patriarchal society, survival, crime, narrative voice, social commentary, and female protagonists.
What is the overall structure of this document?
The document is structured to provide a concise yet comprehensive overview. It includes a table of contents, outlining the key sections: biographical information on Defoe, an overview of his novels, a detailed introduction to "Moll Flanders," and a summary of the key themes and keywords.
For whom is this document intended?
This document is intended for academic use, providing a structured and professional overview for researchers analyzing themes in Daniel Defoe's "Moll Flanders".
Where can I find more information?
The full academic analysis of Daniel Defoe's "Moll Flanders" will provide further detail on the themes and topics outlined in this preview.
- 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
