Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is Moll Flanders' occupation for five years of her life?
What is Moll Flanders' occupation for five years of her life?
- Whore (correct)
- Thief
- Transported Felon
- Wife
Where does Moll Flanders end up living after marrying a rich gentleman?
Where does Moll Flanders end up living after marrying a rich gentleman?
- Lancashire (correct)
- Virginia
- America
- Newgate
Who marries a draper and then flees the country as a fugitive?
Who marries a draper and then flees the country as a fugitive?
- Moll Flanders (correct)
- The kind widow
- Her mother
- Her first lover's younger brother
Why does Moll leave her half-brother husband in America?
Why does Moll leave her half-brother husband in America?
With whom does Moll agree to marry if he can obtain a divorce?
With whom does Moll agree to marry if he can obtain a divorce?
What happens to the man who was Moll's lover but later renounces her?
What happens to the man who was Moll's lover but later renounces her?
Which of the following is NOT one of Moll's marital statuses throughout her life?
Which of the following is NOT one of Moll's marital statuses throughout her life?
Who is the first person that seduces Moll at an early age?
Who is the first person that seduces Moll at an early age?
In which location does Moll receive education on manners and needlework as an infant?
In which location does Moll receive education on manners and needlework as an infant?
How many times does Moll Flanders marry in her lifetime?
How many times does Moll Flanders marry in her lifetime?
What is Moll Flanders' ultimate fate in the novel?
What is Moll Flanders' ultimate fate in the novel?
How does Moll Flanders end up in prison?
How does Moll Flanders end up in prison?
What genre did Defoe attempt to justify his novel as due to lack of precedent during the time of its writing?
What genre did Defoe attempt to justify his novel as due to lack of precedent during the time of its writing?
What characterizes the language style used by Defoe in 'Moll Flanders'?
What characterizes the language style used by Defoe in 'Moll Flanders'?
What aspect of Moll Flanders' character is appreciated by readers despite her immoral actions?
What aspect of Moll Flanders' character is appreciated by readers despite her immoral actions?
What is the reason given within the text for the lack of serious consequences to Moll Flanders' immoral actions?
What is the reason given within the text for the lack of serious consequences to Moll Flanders' immoral actions?
What alias does the protagonist 'Moll Flanders' adopt during her years as an expert thief?
What alias does the protagonist 'Moll Flanders' adopt during her years as an expert thief?
Who is Moll Flanders' second husband that sinks them into poverty due to financial indiscretions?
Who is Moll Flanders' second husband that sinks them into poverty due to financial indiscretions?
What relationship does Moll have with the Elder Brother in the wealthy family she stays with during her teenage years?
What relationship does Moll have with the Elder Brother in the wealthy family she stays with during her teenage years?
Who turns out to be Moll Flanders' half-brother after she marries him and moves to Virginia?
Who turns out to be Moll Flanders' half-brother after she marries him and moves to Virginia?
In 'Moll Flanders', who takes care of Moll from age three through her teenage years?
In 'Moll Flanders', who takes care of Moll from age three through her teenage years?
'My Lancashire husband' is an alias used for which character in 'Moll Flanders'?
'My Lancashire husband' is an alias used for which character in 'Moll Flanders'?
'My Governess' in the novel 'Moll Flanders' plays what role for the protagonist?
'My Governess' in the novel 'Moll Flanders' plays what role for the protagonist?
Which character in 'Moll Flanders' is deceived into marrying the protagonist under false pretenses of great wealth?
Which character in 'Moll Flanders' is deceived into marrying the protagonist under false pretenses of great wealth?
When 'Moll Flanders' returns to America at the end of the novel, which character shows her overwhelming affection upon meeting?
When 'Moll Flanders' returns to America at the end of the novel, which character shows her overwhelming affection upon meeting?
What is Moll Flanders' ultimate fate in the novel?
What is Moll Flanders' ultimate fate in the novel?
Who is Moll Flanders' first husband?
Who is Moll Flanders' first husband?
What role does Moll Flanders' mother play in her life?
What role does Moll Flanders' mother play in her life?
What motivates Moll to leave her half-brother husband in America?
What motivates Moll to leave her half-brother husband in America?
What is the main reason Moll agrees to marry the banker in the novel?
What is the main reason Moll agrees to marry the banker in the novel?
Where does Moll grow up after being raised by a kind widow during her infancy?
Where does Moll grow up after being raised by a kind widow during her infancy?
What is the societal conflict highlighted in the text?
What is the societal conflict highlighted in the text?
How does Defoe portray human relationships in the novel?
How does Defoe portray human relationships in the novel?
How does Moll evolve as a character in the novel?
How does Moll evolve as a character in the novel?
What is the predominant theme regarding human existence in the novel?
What is the predominant theme regarding human existence in the novel?
How does Moll view her own story from the vantage point of repentance?
How does Moll view her own story from the vantage point of repentance?
What characterizes Defoe's vision of human existence in 'Moll Flanders'?
What characterizes Defoe's vision of human existence in 'Moll Flanders'?
What does Moll Flanders become skilled at after living in poverty for several years?
What does Moll Flanders become skilled at after living in poverty for several years?
How does Moll Flanders reunite with her Lancashire husband in prison?
How does Moll Flanders reunite with her Lancashire husband in prison?
What saves Moll Flanders and her Lancashire husband from death sentences?
What saves Moll Flanders and her Lancashire husband from death sentences?
What term best describes Defoe's attitude towards Moll Flanders' immoral actions?
What term best describes Defoe's attitude towards Moll Flanders' immoral actions?
What is the primary emphasis of 'Moll Flanders' concerning its protagonist's life?
What is the primary emphasis of 'Moll Flanders' concerning its protagonist's life?
How does Defoe justify the novel 'Moll Flanders' in terms of its genre?
How does Defoe justify the novel 'Moll Flanders' in terms of its genre?
What is the main reason behind the lack of consequences to Moll Flanders' immoral actions within the novel?
What is the main reason behind the lack of consequences to Moll Flanders' immoral actions within the novel?
How does Moll Flanders' attitude towards labor and crime differ from traditional Christian morality?
How does Moll Flanders' attitude towards labor and crime differ from traditional Christian morality?
'Moll Flanders,' despite her shortcomings, is appreciated by readers primarily for her ____________.
'Moll Flanders,' despite her shortcomings, is appreciated by readers primarily for her ____________.
'Moll Flanders' showcases the conflict between absolute Christian morality and ________ ethics governing human survival.
'Moll Flanders' showcases the conflict between absolute Christian morality and ________ ethics governing human survival.
What is one of the most striking and unusual features about Moll Flanders as a female protagonist?
What is one of the most striking and unusual features about Moll Flanders as a female protagonist?
In 'Moll Flanders,' what is the effect of Moll's flexible moral code?
In 'Moll Flanders,' what is the effect of Moll's flexible moral code?
Which man in 'Moll Flanders' marries her under the deception that she possesses a great fortune?
Which man in 'Moll Flanders' marries her under the deception that she possesses a great fortune?
What event prompts the rich gentleman in 'Moll Flanders' to break off his affair with Moll?
What event prompts the rich gentleman in 'Moll Flanders' to break off his affair with Moll?
What role does 'My Lancashire husband' play in Moll Flanders' life?
What role does 'My Lancashire husband' play in Moll Flanders' life?
Where does Moll Flanders display the most confidence and celebrity according to the text?
Where does Moll Flanders display the most confidence and celebrity according to the text?
What happens to Moll's mother in 'Moll Flanders' soon after Moll's birth?
What happens to Moll's mother in 'Moll Flanders' soon after Moll's birth?
Who is referred to as 'The Nurse' in 'Moll Flanders'?
Who is referred to as 'The Nurse' in 'Moll Flanders'?
What is the ultimate fate of 'The Banker' in 'Moll Flanders'?
What is the ultimate fate of 'The Banker' in 'Moll Flanders'?
What significant quality allows Moll in 'Moll Flanders' to navigate situations even in morally dubious arenas?
What significant quality allows Moll in 'Moll Flanders' to navigate situations even in morally dubious arenas?
Study Notes
Moll Flanders' Life
- Moll Flanders is a thief for five years of her life.
- She lives in Newgate for a time.
- She ends up living in Virginia after marrying a rich gentleman.
Marriages and Relationships
- Moll marries a draper and flees the country as a fugitive.
- She marries her half-brother in Virginia, but leaves him due to his poverty and lack of wealth.
- She agrees to marry a banker if he can obtain a divorce.
- She is seduced by the Elder Brother in the wealthy family she stays with during her teenage years.
- She receives education on manners and needlework as an infant in Colchester.
Character Traits
- Moll Flanders is skilled at thievery after living in poverty for several years.
- She is appreciated by readers for her adaptability and resourcefulness.
- She has a flexible moral code, which affects her relationships and actions throughout the novel.
Novel Structure and Themes
- Defoe attempts to justify his novel as a 'private history' due to lack of precedent during the time of its writing.
- The language style used by Defoe is characterized by simplicity and clarity.
- The novel's primary emphasis is on Moll Flanders' life, highlighting the conflict between absolute Christian morality and survival ethics.
- The predominant theme regarding human existence in the novel is the struggle for survival and the complexity of human nature.
Prison and Redemption
- Moll Flanders ends up in prison, where she reunites with her Lancashire husband.
- They are saved from death sentences due to the charitable intervention of a rich woman.
- Defoe portrays Moll's attitude towards her past immoral actions with ambiguity, neither condemning nor justifying them.
- Moll views her own story from the vantage point of repentance, showcasing her growth as a character throughout the novel.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the plot of Moll Flanders, a novel that follows the life of the eponymous character through various highs and lows, capturing her experiences as a prostitute, wife, thief, felon, and ultimately a reformed individual. Get ready to explore the twists and turns of Moll's life!
