I am deciding to write my final paper, on the first book of the semester, and the one I find to be the most controversial, Roxana. After reading this novel, I was left with many unanswered questions. All of these unanswered questions, left me trying to combine these thoughts and find a central theme between them all. The novel was a very controversial piece of literature for its time and still poses many controversial issues today to readers. Despite the more liberal society we live in today, Roxana’s actions can still be viewed as immoral. I was going to look into the many times the pro-feminist views that Roxana displays are prevalent to readers, but I couldn’t accept them, because of how she treats childbearing throughout the novel. Trying to write this proposal, has been very difficult for me. Despite, hearing Professor H’s advice about not being concerned with the length at this point of the assignment, I wanted to make sure I picked a topic that I could explain over 6-8 pages.
I decided to analyze the ironic correlation between Roxana’s immoral behavior, and how she became more financial stable throughout the novel, despite being a mistress. I will analyze her various relationships, and how they all yielded more wealth for Roxana. I found it very significant that when it came to being a mother, she disregarded how her lifestyle affected her children. Throughout all her adulterous endeavors, she gained many riches but did not go back to rescue her children. She also continues to have children while in “hiding”, which seems very self-centered. I found it extremely ironic that her daughter Susan, is the character brought back to expose her. Susan was one of very few people who knew Roxana’s identity. Susan goes through more extremes to know her mom, than Roxana ever did to know her. Susan explains the “natural” connection she has with Roxana, while Roxana is more worried about her identity being exposed than restoring a relationship with her daughter.
Roxana explains her remorse throughout the novel, but is discredited by her actions. I was wondering if she actually explains her remorse, because she wants the readers of that time to think she dislikes what her life has resorted to. I also find it ironic that the extent of Roxana’s behavior, affects many of the people around her. She explains the misfortunes of people around her but concludes the novel abruptly. She explains that her life did not have a happy ending but does not give details. This is another pattern from her throughout the novel. Besides her first marriage, she doesn’t mention any negativity that happened in her life. I feel she only mentioned the first series of misfortunes, to justify her actions throughout the novel. She is giving a purpose to her immoral behavior.
In discussing Roxana, I know that I will find many examples in order to analyze the irony between her immoral behavior and her financial success. She had many relationships and many prominent events throughout and in between these relationships, that show this correlation.
Hi there!
“Roxana” was my first choice for this final paper. And this topic is what came to my mind in the beginning. I couldn’t agree more that “Roxana” is a controversial novel so I decided to write about something else that I am more comfortable with. I think you have a very good narrowed down argument here. However, I can’t think of anything how her daughter(Susan) calling her out relates to the argument you are making. But I am sure you have something to back it up or if you do not you might want to work on that.
Hi,
I think you have a very clear argument. But to clarify when you mentioned how Roxana disregarded her actions that she is taking because it can impacted her children and Susan is one of them. For this part, are you trying to say that bad guys never last and Roxana is the bad one with all these immoral actions and that Susan is trying to expose her secrets so that she can stop and once everyone knows her secrets her wealth will come to an end. But i’m a little confuse with the connection right here. Or you trying to give an example of when Susan was her maid what is the wrongful actions she is doing in front of her daughter. Once again, your topic is very interesting and I wish you the very best luck.
Hi! I’m glad to see another scholar writing about Roxana. From this post I can tell that you want to analyze the ironic correlation between Roxana’s immoral behavior, and how she became more financial stable throughout the novel, despite being a mistress. Although these two things are in common, I suggest using these two to find a greater topic question. Something that is more in depth that would allow readers to understand the novel better. Based on the given examples, I suggest a essay topic of -Why did Defoe implement immoral behavior in Roxana that ultimately led to her fortune? Then you can most likely use examples of all her marriages and encounters with men. Digging a little deeper I would want to think, why did Defoe allow Roxana to be this way, what was he trying to make us feel emotionally to understand her better. Just some thoughts, if it doesn’t fit in just disregard the above comments. ;]