论文摩尔弗兰德斯

Moll Flanders

Ⅰ.Introduction

Daniel Defoe is one of the most unique and controversial writers of the eighteenth century in English and world literature. During his life time and even afterwards, Defoe was questioned and criticized by the public because of his changeable political stand and unique writing style.

Moll Flanders is not the representative work of Defoe, but it is the most popular work of Defoe. Moll Flanders is Defoe/s first work, in which a woman serves as the main character. It is worth discussing. It fully reflects Defoe/s values, morality and his writing style.

Ⅱ.The discussion of man/s survival nature in the capitalism society

In this thesis, it will discuss Defoe"s reflection on the essence of human survival, viewing from an economic point of view the relationship between women and the society.

As a writer with sharp insight and consciousness, Defoe describes a lonely woman’s struggle for survival in social wilderness. The book not only inspires us to ponder over the conflicts between the Bourgeoisie’s individualism and their moral values, but also makes us meditate on the matter of human survival. It is mainly concerned with the conflicts between economic individualism and the care of soul salvation.

Moll Flanders belongs to the type of adventure novels, and such novels concentrate on the descriptions of the experiences of a hero or a heroine, this book is no exception. This character is usually a whore, a pirate or a thief who leads a vagabond life and struggles for survival by means of disgraceful conduct or even crimes and the story finally has a happy ending.

Ⅲ.Moll’s outlook on economic individualism and Defoe’s concern about soul salvation Through the analysis of the heroine Moll Flanders, we can see women’s dilemma and frustration in education, occupation and marriage. Moreover, we can see the heroine/s outlook on economic individualism and Defoe/s concern about soul salvation.

The heroine Moll Flanders is an unforgettable character. The successful portrayal of Moll Flanders lies in the revelation of her character. This character, in essence, bears a marked brand of the time and the rising capitalist class. It reflects the economic individualism world outlook at that time.

Moll Flanders, like Robin Crusoe, has adventurous spirits and keeps forging ahead. His affirmation and approval of Moll is, the praise of some noble characteristics which can easily be found in the rising capitalist class.

We can read Moll/s repentance in the novel. This reflects Defoe/s concern for soul salvation in a world where much importance is attached to material desires. Defoe makes clear that he thinks highly of the morality-teaching role of literature, but the moral—teaching is not his really final goal. He wants to express the capitalism value, that is, when one person is alive, he should work hard for his wealth and should have the spirit of adventure.

Ⅳ.Conclusion

In this novel, through the description of Moll, Defoe successfully reveal the contradiction between the individualism of the bourgeoisie and the soul salvation, reflects the world outlook of the new bourgeoisie, and advocates that man should live by following his natural instinct and control his behaviors rationally. Moll’s character of economic individualism, molded successfully be Defoe no doubt has a historical progressive significance.