I read the Norton edition, which had notes and a million references, which I loved and helped to "be there". To me, this is an important view of a time - a man wrote about a woman's life. Moll Flanders portrayed every aspect of what could happen to a woman and the consequences of very human decisions.

The attitude at the time (the time?) that women are above the outside life and are pure. That view is obviously on purpose. He's talking about reality, and how a woman is smart and can influence her own life no matter how brutal the circumstances.

I think this is brilliant that a man wrote this, but he meant it as an allegory. Which is fine. This is even before the 18th century french salons where women ruled the intellectual life of the elite.

Don't underestimate the 18th century, y'all...:)