Create A Thesis Statement About The Plot Of Mo

Create A Thesis Statement Dealing Solely With the Plot Of Moll Fland

Create a thesis statement, dealing solely with the plot of Moll Flanders, in which you say what the consequences are of the female criminal career (for the individual woman who practices it). To put together this thesis statement, you will need to write 3 character analyses. Your argument for each of them will look like this: For “Moll Flanders” (the character), the results of being a female career criminal are (good/bad--choose one) BECAUSE ____________________________ For Moll's "governess," the results of being a female career criminal are (good/bad--choose one) BECAUSE _____________________________________ For “Mother Midnight”, the results of being a female career criminal are (good/bad--choose one BECAUSE ___________________________________________ Once you have filled in these three sentences, by thinking about what happens to each character by the last time they are seen in the novel.

Paper For Above instruction

The novel Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe presents a complex exploration of female criminality and its consequences through the character arc of Moll herself and her interactions with other women involved in similar pursuits. The plot delineates how a career of crime impacts women differently depending on their social roles and circumstances, ultimately revealing the varied and often adverse effects of a life of crime on women’s identities, social standing, and personal well-being.

Firstly, for Moll Flanders—the protagonist who embarks on a life of theft, deception, and manipulative relationships—the results of being a female career criminal are primarily bad BECAUSE her criminal pursuits lead to a cycle of insecurity, moral decay, and social marginalization. Moll’s continuous engagement with crime results in fleeting wealth and superficial success, yet it ultimately leaves her morally compromised and socially stigmatized. Her repeated arrests and incarcerations undermine her sense of stability and self-worth, illustrating that sustained criminal activity for Moll erodes her morality and personal identity (Defoe, 1722).

Secondly, for Moll's governess—an ancillary female character who briefly participates in criminal activities— the results of being a female career criminal are BAD BECAUSE her involvement in crime diminishes her moral integrity and leads to her downfall. The governess, despite her initial respectable façade, engages in theft and conspiracy, which culminates in her arrest and rejection by society. Her participation demonstrates that criminality, even when motivated by circumstances or hardship, damages women’s social reputation and moral standing, illustrating how illicit pursuits can rapidly destroy a woman’s moral fabric (Defoe, 1722).

Finally, for Mother Midnight—a recurring figure associated with witchcraft and illicit activities— the results of being a female career criminal are BAD BECAUSE her criminal endeavors contribute to societal suspicion and her marginalization. Mother Midnight’s role as an outsider involved in illegal and superstitious activities isolates her from conventional society. Her criminal career results in societal rejection and personal alienation, underscoring how engaging in illicit practices, especially those viewed as morally corrupt or superstitious, further alienates women from social acceptance and personal fulfillment (Defoe, 1722).

In conclusion, the plot of Moll Flanders underscores that the consequences of a female criminal career tend to be predominantly negative, fostering social decay, moral deterioration, and marginalization for women. Moll’s own trajectory reveals that despite moments of material gain, criminal pursuits compromise essential aspects of personal integrity and social reputation. Similarly, the fates of Moll's governess and Mother Midnight exemplify how criminal involvement results in moral decline and social exclusion. Defoe’s novel thereby portrays female criminality as ultimately destructive, emphasizing that the societal and personal costs outweigh any fleeting gains.

References

• Defoe, Daniel. (1722). Moll Flanders. London: W. Taylor.
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