Moll Flanders

by

Daniel Defoe

The Landlady Character Analysis

The landlady owns the house where Moll boards in Bath. The landlady does not “keep an ill House,” but she doesn’t have “the best Principles.” In other words, while the landlady does not keep a brothel, she is a prostitute. Moll and the landlady become friendly, and she introduces Moll to the gentleman. After Moll becomes pregnant with the gentleman’s child, the landlady finds her a midwife and allows Moll to rest at her house during her pregnancy.
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The Landlady Character Timeline in Moll Flanders

The timeline below shows where the character The Landlady appears in Moll Flanders. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Moll and the Gentleman
Poverty and Morality Theme Icon
Sex and Money Theme Icon
...not a Wife, and she has little luck finding a suitable man. She befriends a landlady, who lets Moll lodge at her house. The landlady does not “keep an ill House,”... (full context)
Poverty and Morality Theme Icon
Gender and Society Theme Icon
Moll tells the landlady that she lost her fortune at sea, which indeed cost Moll nearly £500. She has... (full context)
Poverty and Morality Theme Icon
Gender and Society Theme Icon
Sex and Money Theme Icon
...no going back, so they continue their sexual relationship. Moll is soon pregnant, and the landlady helps her to find a midwife and nurse. As Moll gets closer to giving birth,... (full context)