Moll Flanders, Daniel Defoe Part 1: Moll’s childhood. Moll Flanders (which is not her real name) was born in Newgate prison in London, where her mother was imprisoned for stealing. After her birth, her mother was sent to transported to the plantations. Moll believes herself that she fell into bad hands until she was 3yo, lived with gypsies. Because she was too young to work, the town authorities put Moll in the charge of a good family but poor woman whom Moll called “nurse”. This woman kept a small school where Moll was educated good manners. At the age of 8, Moll became terrified by the news that the town authorities want to make her a servant. She protests by crying to stay with the nurse. Moll want to become a “gentlewoman” (which Moll thought that it designates a successful woman). Moll was earning some money from needlework.At 12, she could buy her own clothes. At her 14yo, Moll’s nurse died. So, she went lived with the matrons and her 2 daughters until she was 18yo. She continues her education with the daughters of this family and learn to sing, dance and speak French. Part 2: Moll’s first lover. Soon her beauty was noticed by both sons of the family. The elder son was a good-looking young man who seduce Mrs Betty = Moll. Robin the youngest son was also attracted to Moll. However, the family didn’t care about the attentions on Moll bc she had no fortune. The elder son persistent wanted to be alone with Moll. He gave her kisses and gold coins, while declaring his love for her. Since this was Moll’s first love, she became overwhelmed by the attentions of the elder son. His warmth destroyed her loneliness and his gold erased her poverty. As time passed, the elder son persistent gave Moll some money. Meanwhile, Moll became more and more in love with him. To hide their relation, Moll treated coldly the elder son in the presence of his family. The elder brother gave a not to Moll instructing her that he would send her on errand and then meet her on her way.
The elder brother announced that Sir W desired to speak to him on some urgent business, so this was an excuse to take the coach (car) to meet Moll. The elder brother declared his love for Moll, he promised to provide her money, if she should become pregnant to marry her. Moll accepted, he will give her 100 guineas (coins) until they were married. Part 3: Marriage. Six months after the beginning of the relation btw Moll and the elder brother, Moll received a proposal of marriage from the younger brother Robin. Believing that the elder brother truly wanted to marry her, she refused Robin’s proposal. Robin was honest so he talked about his love with his sisters, so they became cool with Moll. Moll was sad bc she could have been the younger brother’s wife and not only the elder brother’s mistress. Soon after, Moll decide to tell the elder brother that Robin loved her.
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