The relationship between the sexes in Defoe´s Moll Flanders

Seminar paper from the year 2001 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 3,0 (C), Dresden Technical University (Institute for Anglistics/American Studies), course: Seminar: Crime and Literature: Daniel Defoe and His Time, language: English, abstract: Daniel Defoe His Life1 Daniel Defoe was born in 1660, in Cripplegate, London. In 1683, he became a merchant, a profession that allowed him to travel around Great Britain and the Continent for a longer period of time, from 1685 to 1692. Because of engaging himself in political matters, e.g. joining forces of William of Orange in 1688, he experienced two bankruptcies, the first in 1692, the second eleven years later. He was then also imprisoned in Newgate for his work The Shortest Way with the Dissenters. As punishment he had to stand in the pillory for one hour per day on three consecutive days. From 1703 to 1714, Daniel Defoe was a secret agent. First experiences in this profession he had gained from 1697 to 1701, as secret agent and confidant of William III. Occupied as such he traveled around England and Scotland influencing people's opinion. Within the time frame from above, from 1704 to 1713, he was the author and editor of the periodical The Review. In 1713, he was not only arrested for debt but also imprisoned for three ironic tracts on the Hanoverian succession. Luckily, the Crown pardoned him. Two years later he became a secret agent once more. This time of the Whigs, whom he served in different ways almost until his death. With 59 he wrote his Robinson Crusoe, probably the most famous of his characters. The work and character to be discussed in this paper, Moll Flanders, was written by the 62-year old Daniel Defoe. Two other important writings, Roxana and A tour through the whole island of Great Britain, were published two years later, in 1724. Daniel Defoe died at the age of 71, at Bunhill Fields, London. He was buried there the same year. [...]