The fortunes and misfortunes of Moll Flanders
Are we as readers interested in the fact Moll has repented, or things that she had to repent from. Most certainly the things that she had to repent from interest readers, we want juicy stuff.
Written in a format that tricks the reader into believing that what they are reading is reality. The personal memoir allows the reader to feel a special connection to the character, knowing that the memoir was intended to be read only by the author, Moll herself. The diary format tricks the reader.
Does the opening of this story sound believable?
Her children, Robin seduces her, Robert the younger brother marries her.
The preface is intended to justify what Defoe wants as a reader.
In the opening line of the story Moll presents a mask in which she attempts to wear. Then as readers we must ask ourselves what she is attempting to cover.
Is Moll always honest with us? Or in adopting this mask is she essentially hypocritical
Does Moll want to be liked by the reader.
17-18 years old, refined. Moll learns to dance, to sing, to speak French. She is constantly concerned with her financial status. All of these things would make Moll a very attractive female.
However, she still desires to live above the lifestyle she currently has, for this reason she intends on keeping her fortune a secret.
Sophitication, education have been provided to her, as she is not a woman of the working class. All of the things she has make a young lady marriageable.
The first conversation occurs between Robin and his sister, just after a comment when Moll says that older brother Robert had known how to catch a woman in his net, as well as he could catch a bird in his partridge.
"For nothing but money now defines a woman" – the economic basis of marriage p 14
The older brother doesn't marry Moll, because he is going to inherite the estate, he couldn't embarrass ...