Moll Flanders - Romantic Literature

Résumé du document

"We cannot adequately assess Moll's actions unless we thoroughly understand the patriarchal system of the society in which she must think and act." With careful reference to the novel explain and illustrate you views on this issues.

Extraits

[...] Notwithstanding the criticisms of patriarchy which Defoe presents, using the narrative of Moll Flanders, some critics may argue that the socio-political argument which he conveys is contradicted by the supposed `morally right' intervals of the character's story. During such interludes Moll does relatively little other than assume the typical female role of the time, leading a quiet life in the company of her husband and having multiple children. The fact that Defoe labels these periods as Moll's "penitence" can be said to support the patriarchal system of the time because it describes the ideal patriarchal lifestyle to be the morally correct lifestyle (Defoe para. [...]

[...] doi: 10.4304/tpls.2.10.2103-2108. West, C., Zimmerman, D. H. (1991). Doing Gender. In J. Lorber, S. A. Farrell (Eds.), Social Construction of Gender (pp. 13-37). Newbury Park: SAGE Publications. [...]

[...] (2016). The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders &c. Retrieved from https://www.gutenberg.org/files/370/370-h/370-h.htm Fry, M. (1983). The Politics of Reality: Essays in Feminist Theory. Trumansburg: The Crossing Press. Hoggart, R. (1957). The Uses of Literacy: Aspects of working class life, with special references to publications and entertainments Edition). London: Chatto and Windus Ltd. Kandiyoti, D. [...]

[...] In contribution to this, Moll not only considers the occupation and material wealth of the individual to hint towards their social status, but additionally reflects upon the character and appearance of the individual. Such is equally apparent from the beginning of the novel due to Moll's interpretation of `gentility' being someone who works and provides for themselves. Said opinion of Moll is indicated by her desire to work for herself rather than commence working in `service' and, moreover, that she states: "if they asked me whether I resolved to be a gentlewoman, I answered Yes" (Defoe para. [...]

[...] Therefore it is the case with Daniel Defoe's novel, Moll Flanders, that the patriarchal system of said society must be comprehended in order to successfully assess the actions of the female character. The following essay will argue this, but also that patriarchy must also be considered alongside the class-based social system of the time, to gain a full perspective of social obstacles featured in Defoe's novel. Throughout the narrative, Defoe portrays patriarchy as an ever-present, and somewhat burdening, characteristic of eighteenth century Britain and is therefore likewise a burdening characteristic to Moll, as it is a part of her social environment. [...]