Assignment On EngLit: Lovers' Vows Vs. Defoe's Moll Fla

Assignment Englit Lovers Vows Vs The Plot Of Defoes Moll Flanders

Compare and relate the character of Moll Flanders from Defoe's novel to the last acts of Mrs. Inchbald's "Lovers' Vows." Focus on Act V, Scene II, discussing the melodramatic circumstances involving Fredrick and Moll, particularly emphasizing themes of abandonment, recognition, reconciliation, and social restoration. Analyze how Moll's discovery of her mother-in-law being her biological mother parallels Fredrick’s reunion with his mother and the Baron, highlighting themes of lost love, filial piety, restitution, and the journey from rags to respectability. Reflect on the emotional and societal issues such as repentance, honor, separation, reunion, and reparation that shape the characters’ destinies, illustrating the convergence of personal, familial, and social restoration in their journeys. Explore how these scenes symbolize the characters’ reconciliation with their past, re-establishing identity, love, and social standing amidst tumultuous circumstances, thus completing their emotional and social reconciliation and reaching a state of restored dignity.

Paper For Above instruction

The melodramatic climax of Mrs. Inchbald's "Lovers' Vows," particularly in Act V, Scene II, reveals intense emotional turmoil, recognition, and reconciliation, paralleling the unfolding revelations in Defoe’s "Moll Flanders." Both scenes delve into the profound themes of abandonment, identity, and the possibility of redemption through family reunification. In "Lovers' Vows," Fredrick’s discovery of his mother’s true identity as his lover’s mother accentuates a tragic yet redemptive reunion, emphasizing the importance of filial bonds and societal respect. Similarly, Moll Flanders' revelation that her mother-in-law is her biological mother encapsulates the culmination of her tumultuous journey—her social ascent, moral reckonings, and search for familial bonds amidst a life marked by crime, virtue, and redemption.

Moll's life exemplifies the rags-to-riches narrative, with her ascent from poverty to respectability symbolizing societal restoration and personal salvation. Her discovery of her mother not only restores her sense of identity but also symbolizes the re-establishment of social and familial order, paralleling Fredrick’s reconnection with his biological roots and the Baron. Both characters experience a profound emotional shift—Moll when she realizes her own birthright and Fredrick when he reunites with his mother and finds his father—highlighting the healing power of recognition and reconciliation.

The themes of abandonment and loss are central to both scenes. Moll’s troubled past, marked by neglect and misfortune, contrasts with her eventual redemption through maternal recognition, while Fredrick’s emotional reunion signifies the restoration of lost love and proper societal roles. These moments symbolize the characters’ journeys through shame, repentance, and ultimately, forgiveness and social harmony. The scenes depict a societal and moral restoration that reaffirms the importance of truth, honor, and family, illustrating the emotional catharsis necessary for characters to find peace and dignity.

In conclusion, the parallels between Moll’s revelations and Fredrick’s emotional reunions underscore a universal narrative of loss, recognition, and reconciliation. Both scenes demonstrate how love, truth, and familial bonds can restore social standing and personal integrity, completing their journeys from misunderstanding and tragedy to acceptance and dignity. Their stories exemplify the enduring human desire for restoration—emotionally, socially, and morally—highlighting the transformative power of recognition and the hope for redemption in the face of adversity.

References

• Defoe, D. (1722). Moll Flanders. Oxford University Press.
• Inchbald, M. (1808). Lovers' Vows. Oxford University Press.
• Gilligan, C. (1996). In a Different Voice: Psychological Theory and Women’s Development. Harvard University Press.
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• Orgel, S. (1975). The Authentic Tragedy of Moll Flanders. PMLA.
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