ENG 328: The Novel to Jane Austen
Throughout the novel of Moll Flanders, the unfortunate character is reminded of her worth through the frequent occurrence of money. Moll relates the amount of money she has to her own worth. The more money she had, or wealthy her suitor, the higher she deems herself. It serves as a general motif as the amount both increases and decreases. The symbol of security is an object she holds onto during her travels and mirrors her ability to take care of herself. “Lifted me up, professing a great deal of Love for me; … and with that he put five Guineas into my Hand, and went away down Stairs” (Defoe p. 22) The amount of money is first present during her relationship with the older brother as he pays her for sex. $500 is what she is paid for her virtue, which is seen as a lot for her at the time. Through her marriages, affairs, and travels, her personal bank decreases to less than $200. Once she runs out of money, it is the birth of her life of crime as a petty thief where her bank increases to $700. Throughout the course, our perception of Moll changes based on how she spends and attains her money. It is then when she and James move to the plantation, that she is secure in her wealth. Moll is emotionally free to leave the life of crime behind as she is no longer counting her bank.
There is a correlation between the mention of linens and clothes to her relationship to her true self. It is mentioned in the prologue of Moll’s origin that her mother was arrested and sent to Newgate prison, “for a certain petty Thefit, scarce worth naming, Having an opportunity of borrowing three Pieces of find Holland” (Defoe p. 10). Holland, a fine piece of linen fabric, remains a reflection of the standards of women in society throughout the novel. The occurrence of fabrics serves as a reminder to Moll as a luxury she can not afford. One she tries to compensate for by finding a wealthy suitor to supply this need. She is taught at a young age needlework and sewing, a skill she uses to supply the nurse in exchange for service. The amount of linen a woman has also determines worth, as “fine clothes, gold watch, and a diamond ring or two had been all my fortune” (Dafoe p.68).
Moll retains a gold watch over her years of traveling. For a woman of Moll’s stature, a gold watch is seemingly uncommon and worth a lot. The wallet was a security for she knew she could sell it if needed, but relied heavily on her own money to stay afloat. Unfortunately, Moll is met with financial instability leaving her to a life of crime. When eating the Comrade, “helped me to, death in three sorts of Crafts, … taking off Gold Watches from the Ladies Sides” ( Dafoe p.159), the two are able to secure 120 gold watched between them only increasing her financial security at high risk. The gold watches give Moll the illusion of luxury, developing an arrogant attitude only to be brown down when attempting to steal one from a woman.
In society, a woman’s only way to succeed financially is to find a wealthy husband. That limits Moll as she either is left propelling for men or the life of crime. Moll valued material objects as a means to increase her status in society. The more items she possessed, the higher her value was. Ultimately, Moll’s obsession with materialistic items determining her value landed her in an untimely situation time and time again.
In in high society life of Highbury, lives Emma who interprets materialistic items differently one Moll Flanders. The carriages ridden in Highbury are typically by those in the higher class. The Woodhouses, The Knightleys, and Mr. Elton ride in carriages as opposed to the lower class. Carriages symbolize the desire and wealth of the upper class to enhance class boundaries. Mrs. Elton employs this “Without saying anything of our carriage, we should be able to explore the different beauties extremely well” (Aueten p.110) as she boasts about her wealthy carriage. Mr. Woodhouse always prefers to take the carriage contrasting Mr. Knightly who prefers to walk or ride horseback. “Mr. Knightley, to come out at this late hour to call upon us. I am afraid you must have had a shocking walk”, to he replied, “Not at all, It is a beautiful moonlight night” (Austen p. 4). This shows his character as he is comfortable in his position in society and does not need to flash his wealth.
In Emma’s naive matchmaking attempts to set up Mr. Elton and Harriett, she paints a likeness of Harriet to win Mr. Elton. The beautiful watercolor painting holds the virtuous reflection of Harriett that Emma has yet to realize. The painting only surfaced in two instances, the moment she painted it and when she later gave it to Mr. Martin as a token of her apology. The painting itself illustrates Emma’s desire to reshape Harriet to fit high society, going as far as to intentionally change her image. “As she meant to throw in a little improvement to the figure, to give a little more height, and considerably more elegance,…, the skill of the other, and the friendship of both” (Austen p. 21). Shaping Harriet’s destiny was Emma’s project throughout the novel that later blossomed into a friendship between the two.
In the unspoken rivalry between Emma and Jane Fairfax, the sender of the pianoforte is the deciding factor. During this period, women would often take the chance to show off their musical skills in the drawing room. “Soon as she entered the room had been struck by the sight of a pianoforte—a very elegant looking instrument—not a grand, but a large-sized square pianoforte” (Austen p. 87) similar to Emma’s perception of Jane Fairfax, recognizing her beauty but remained a symbol of her unspoken competition. A musical skill symbolized courtship and marriage, and one’s ability to perform one perfectly would result in talent and privilege. As Emma discovers that Frank Churchill has sent the pianoforte to Jane Fairfax, it changes her perception of class. Since Emma had saught Jane as less than her only to receive a gift worth more diminished her worth, “Jane Fairfax did look and move superior” (Austen p. 89)
One of the crucial aspects of the novel is the letters shared between the characters of Highbury. As most of the character’s appearance in the novel is limited, for Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill, the letters serve as a way to observe their character through the reactions of other characters. Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax are often perceived by other characters before their introduction, with their letters being their first appearance. For Emma, the letters from Frank Churchill are sacred as she praises them for his love for her. Mr. Knightly believes the letters to be a form of deception amongst women, especially Emma, and views him as “[Churchill] a person I never think of from one month’s end to another” (Austen p.62).
Austen portrayed objects in the narrative as a means of social status. This assured society place, especially for Emma who valued the security of her status. Emma was imamured with the marriage aspect of securing status attempting to match everyone up. Throughout the novel, the material items that were once held dear to Emma surely change as her perspective changes. The pianoforte was a reminder of her jealousy of Jane Fairfax only to celebrate her engagement to Frank Churchill. Emma had cherished the letters from Frank Churchill until meeting him and realizing his love for Jane. The carriages once held prestige in her eyes until the incident with Mr. Elton, where thereafter she walks similarly to Mr. Knightly. The progression of Emma’s character and values change with her relationships with those dear to her and lets down her guard to embrace her love of Mr. Knighlty.
Works Cited
Austen, J., & Pinch, A. (2008). Emma. Oxford University Press.
Foe, Daniel De. Moll Flanders: An Authoritative Text, Contexts, Criticism. Edited by Albert J. Rivero, W. W. Norton, 2003.
Foe, D. D., & Smith, A. (2003). Moll Cutpurse, a Pick-Pocket and Highwaywoman. In Moll flanders: An authoritative text, contexts, criticism (p. 321). essay, W W NORTON.
Maya Young 