| 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.When Defoe is mentioned, people will naturally think of Robinson Crusoe, a hero of Defoe's novel, who lived alone on a desert island for 28 years. Robinson Crusoe---Defoe's masterpiece---is one of the most widely read works in world literature. Moll Flanders is not the representative work of Defoe, but it is the most popular work of Defoe. Just as the famous contemporary writer and critic Virginia Woolf said about Moll Flanders and Roxana -"They stand among the few English novels which we can call indisputably great". 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. 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.The theme of this novel is profound and complicated. It is mainly concerned with the conflicts between economic individualism and the care of soul salvation, which indicates a widespread and profound social significance. In this thesis, the writer 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, so as to better understand the main theme of this novel and the author's writing purpose. This paper will develop in the following aspects.Firstly, 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. Materials for such kind of novels mostly stem from Defoe's life experiences or knowledge, thus we first need to know Defoe's life and its influence on his writing.Then, through the analysis of the heroine Moll Flanders, we can see women'sdilemma 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. To change her humble family background and lead an easy and comfortable life, she fights against the social orders that keep her in her place with inexhaustible vigor and wisdom. Depending on her own power and patience, she struggles for survival and development in adverse circumstances and finally realizes her dream of becoming a gentlewoman.Daniel Defoe's portrayal of Moll Flanders surpasses the traditional mode. His affirmation and approval of Moll is, in fact, the praise of some noble characteristics: such as diligence, bravery and optimism. These important characteristics can easily be found in the rising capitalist class. Defoe shows us the outlook on economic individualism at that time, but he does not completely agree with Moll's way of doing things. Therefore, 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. In the preface of all his novels, Defoe makes clear that he thinks highly of the morality-teaching role of literature.
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