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Aspects of the Novel · Character

Defoe

Early novelist, discussed for his realistic characters and episodic plots.

minor

First appearance: ii the story

Defoe's tie to The Heroine is one of the pressures that moves Aspects of the Novel—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Mentioned in connection with Moll Flanders; Forster notes Defoe makes a slight attempt at plot but is perfunctory, as nothing matters but the heroine.
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With The Heroine (professional): Defoe is the author who created The Heroine (likely Moll Flanders or Roxana) in his novels. In People: Mentioned in connection with Moll Flanders; Forster notes Defoe makes a slight…

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The fuller portrait of Defoe sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Defoe in ii the story

Character Web

10 connections

A slice of how Defoe sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

THThe HeroineMFMoll FlandersSWSir Walter ScottUNUnknown NarratorMPMrs. ProudieDEDefoe

Relationship types

  • Professional
  • Other

Character groups

  • Realism, depth, and narrative pattern
  • Character transformation and flatness
  • Protagonist

+5 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

In this chapter, the emotional and psychological peak occurs as Forster shifts from analyzing narrative craft…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Defoe in ii the story

In the story

Defoe appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Defoe unlock in the free preview.

See Defoe in ii the story