Written in a time when criminal biographies enjoyed great success, Daniel Defoeās āThe Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flandersā (aka āMoll Flandersā) details the life of the irresistible Moll and her struggles through poverty and sin in search of property and power. Born in Newgate prison and abandoned six months later, Moll Flandersā drive to find and hold on to a secure place in society propels her through incest, adultery, bigamy, prostitution and a resourceful career as a thief before her crimes catch up with her, and she is transported to the colony of Virginia in the New World. The bawdy story of Moll Flanders vividly illustrates Defoeās themes of social mobility and predestination, sin, redemption, reward and womanās struggle for independence.