# The Governess — Moll Flanders character guide

> The Governess in Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** my governess, my old governess, My governess, My old governess

**First appearance:** 0001-moll-flanders

## Snapshot

A former gentlewoman turned bawd, midwife, pawnbroker, and receiver of stolen goods, she becomes Moll's landlady, mentor, and partner in crime.

## Who they are

Having run through every disreputable trade available to a woman in London, the governess offers Moll both shelter and a professional education in theft. She is pragmatic where Moll is impulsive, and her maternal manner masks a cold business sense — she takes a cut of every stolen watch and silver spoon. Her presence turns Moll's petty pilfering into an organized career, making her the quiet architect of the novel's criminal middle act.

## Relationships

### [The Gentleman at Bath](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moll_flanders_se/characters/the_gentleman_at_bath)

_professional_

The Governess acts as a facilitator and intermediary for the Gentleman at Bath's romantic arrangements with Moll.

### [The Bank Clerk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moll_flanders_se/characters/the_bank_clerk)

_professional_

The Bank Clerk relies on the Governess for information and assistance in his pursuit of Moll.

### [The Captain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moll_flanders_se/characters/the_captain)

_professional_

The Captain is a business associate and accomplice of the Governess in Moll's criminal enterprises.

### [The Boatswain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moll_flanders_se/characters/the_boatswain)

_professional_

The Boatswain collaborates with the Governess in managing stolen goods and criminal logistics.

### [The Bank Clerk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moll_flanders_se/characters/the_bank_clerk)

_professional_

The Bank Clerk relies on the Governess for information and assistance in his pursuit of Moll.

### [The Gentleman at Bath](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moll_flanders_se/characters/the_gentleman_at_bath)

_professional_

The Governess acts as a facilitator and intermediary for the Gentleman at Bath's romantic arrangements with Moll.

## In the story

### [Author's Preface](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moll_flanders_se/chapters/author-s-preface)

Mentioned as a figure whose life story is too long to include, having run through many roles including thief and penitent.

### [Moll Flanders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moll_flanders_se/chapters/moll-flanders)

Proposes Moll disguise herself in men's clothes to avoid detection.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moll_flanders_se/characters/the_governess
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moll_flanders_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moll_flanders_se/characters