English 2610

As Moll continues on, experiencing one misfortune after the other, she becomes a stronger person and much less naive than we find in the beginning of the story. Something that was so dear to her in the beginning, falling deeply in love with a man, slowly starts to erode as she becomes more aware of her circumstances and how they correspond with surviving in society. The gentleman she meets in Bath represents financial stability she quickly recognizes, and without loving him like she passionately did with the older brother in the beginning, she allows the affair to go forth. We also see her gaining wisdom when even in an ideal situation with this gentleman, she continues to save her money in the case of a sudden downfall, as she has become very familiar with over the years.

We also see however, more of an emotionally troubled and moralistic Moll. There are two instances where she has a bit of a breakdown, overcome with thoughts of guilt and also despair at the the thought of being dealt the unfortunate cards of a life of poverty. The first is around the time of accepting the proposal of the banker knowing his sincerity and at the same time knowing her own devious intentions. She calls herself an "abominable Creature" for having lived the life she has and knowingly put it upon this kind man. Another moral relapse occurs while she is married to him and incredibly happy. She looks back on her "past follies" and views them "with abhorrence." We see the peak of her developed self-awareness that even as she may now be tormented by a sinful lifestyle, she has no choice but to continue on this kind of path without the financial securities of others such as her previous husband from Bath. We see an intelligent and conscientious character fully recognize her faults but equally recognize why they must be so.