Daniel Defoe on the Issue of Prostitution: A Critical Exploration of Roxana The Fortunate Mistress

Abstract

Prostitution is said to be one of the world's oldest jobs. It is a social phenomenon with various root causes. Poverty, unemployment, and sometimes the necessity to do something to survive are some of the causes of prostitution. This activity is not without consequences for the practitioners. I have decided to critically explore Daniel Defoe’s Roxana the Fortunate Mistress to find out the reasons behind some women practicing such an activity. The study mainly focuses on the behaviour of the characters Roxana in the two novels. The main aim of the study is to put stress on the consequences of prostitution and draw the attention of the young generation on the dangers of prostitution and provide them with pieces of advice on the benefits of adopting decent behaviour. Based on psychoanalysis and feminism as literary theories, I conclude that prostitution is often linked to materialism and female greed.