Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe :: Moll Flanders Daniel Defoe Essays

gun moll Flanders by Daniel DefoeThree recurring themes in Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe are greed, vanity,and repentance. Theme is defined as an underlying or essential subject ofartistic representation. These three themes play an important role in the study of the story of Moll Flanders.The premier theme, greed, is shown in Molls acts of prostitution. Mollturns to thievery in many instances to support herself. She also allows hermorals to disintegrate a result of her greediness.Molls first act of prostitution is thrust upon her unknowingly. In thebeginning of the story, she is living with a gentle woman and her family. Oneof the brothers takes interest in Moll and seduces her into becoming his lover.He took these freedoms with me when this was over he stayed but a little while,but he put almost a handful of gold in my hand (Defoe 26). Moll lets down herguard and meets with the brother frequently. so putting the purse into mybosom, I made no more resistance to him, but let him do further what he pleased andas often as he pleased (Defoe 30). Later in the story, Moll becomesacquainted with a woman who persuades Moll to toy for her as a prostitute.Even though Moll is now married, she agrees to sell her body for profit. Ifound presently that whether I was a whore or a wife, I was to pass for a whorehere (Defoe 144). Molls acts of prostitution show that she will carry outillegal practices in order to appropriate money.Molls many instances involving thievery also express the theme of greed.At the end of the story, Moll gives her son a stolen watch. I stole it froma gentlewomans side at a meeting house in London (Defoe 297). Moll says thisis the only thing of value she has to give him. One Christmas Day Molldiscovers an unattended silversmiths shop. I went boldly in and was justgoing to lay my hand upon a piece of plate, and might have done it and carriedit clear off (Defoe 238). Moll resists the enticement to steal because anearby shopkeeper rushes over after having seen her enter the empty store.While Moll is living with the old governess she has some luck swindling a man ata gaming-house who seems to be of more than ordinary fashion (Defoe 230).Moll wins him some money and secretly keeps a part for herself each time. hedivided it with me, and I brought away 30 (sic) guineas besides about forty-