When Moll is a young girl, she is forced to go into service as a maid because she would not be able to make a living sewing and spinning. Maids were paid very little, but at least they were fed and clothed. The fact that women were not able to support themselves legally (the assumption being that their husbands or father would contribute to their support from their higher wages) always underlies Moll's decisions: she really needs to get married. When she is widowed at the age of 48, she is too old to hope to marry again, and has little choice but to embark on a life of crime. Peter Coleman, "Censorship: Publish and Be Damned." Media International Australia 150.1 (2014): 36–40. Tutto questo in cinque pagine: poi la parola passa alla protagonista, Moll Flanders, che così esordisce: Her ingenious disguises helped her evade prison for many years, in spite of the fact that a number of her accomplices were caught and hanged or transported to the colonies. Moll's heart hardened as she continued to escape arrest. Greed drove her on until she became known as the richest thief in London. Her "governess," who was at one time Moll's midwife, became her partner-in-crime and guided her criminal activities. She later grew penitent and devout and remained Moll's loyal friend for many years. This is quite simply a fun story. I believe Defoe wanted us to enjoy ourselves and laugh. People enjoy reading more about those who misbehave than those who are strait-laced and law abiding. Clearly, Defoe knew this.

The children are mentioned periodically after the banker's death, yet their statuses and whereabouts are unknown

There is the story in a nutshell. Supposedly, it was written by Moll herself. Daniel Defoe’s name never appeared as author on the books until after his death. The tale is said to be based the life of Moll King, whom the author met on visiting Newgate Prison.

A 1975 two-part BBC TV adaptation, Moll Flanders, adapted by Hugh Whitemore, directed by Donald McWhinnie, and starring Julia Foster as Moll and Kenneth Haigh as Jemmy. Kibbie, Ann Louise. "Monstrous generation: the birth of capital in Defoe's Moll Flanders and Roxana." Publications of the Modern Language Association of America (1995): 1023–1034 online. Mayer, Geoff (1 January 2003). Guide to British Cinema. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 9780313303074. Clearly Defoe created a character straight from his dissident heart, one who accepts responsibility for her redemption or her ruin. {snip ...} Masquerade: Turkish Delight – BBC Two England – 22 April 1974 – BBC Genome". genome.ch.bbc.co.uk . Retrieved 15 February 2016.A 1965 film adaptation titled The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders starred Kim Novak as Moll Flanders and Richard Johnson as Jemmy with Angela Lansbury as Lady Blystone, with George Sanders as the banker, and Lilli Palmer as Dutchy. Some of the scenes were shot in Castle Lodge, a Tudor house in the centre of Ludlow, Shropshire, England. Production of Preserving Mr. Panmure | Theatricalia". theatricalia.com . Retrieved 16 February 2016.

a b "Movie Review – The System – Screen: 'The Girl-Getters' Begins Run:Uneven British Movie at Little Carnegie New Faces and Fine Ear for Dialogue Help It – NYTimes.com". The New York Times . Retrieved 15 February 2016.On the one hand, it is hard to believe that a novel about an independent woman trying to survive was written in 1722. It is one of the first novels ever written, actually. On the other hand, the structure of the novel is a complete mess, making it obvious that it was written in 1722. I am willing to overlook that. Abandons Moll after a religious experience that spurred his penitence. She left their remaining child with him