Essay Questions

How is sexual immorality one of the main themes in Fanny Hill by John Cleland?

Throughout the book, prostitution is an economic activity that sustains most of the characters despite it being an illegal activity. Fanny, an innocent girl from a village in Liverpool is introduced to the world of prostitution by Mrs. Brown in London. Initially, Fanny thinks that she is being employed as a maid but she gets shocked when she realizes that she is going to work at Mrs. Brown's brothel. At the brothel, many men are willing to pay huge sums of money for her virginity but at first, she is repulsive because of her morals. Later, she becomes a prostitute and starts making a few savings. She befriends fellow prostitutes such as Louisa, Emily, and Harriet who share their experiences in the industry. The other woman who owns a brothel to fuel prostitution is Mrs. Cole. She later employs Fanny where meets a man who handles her like a daughter. Therefore, sexual immorality is evident throughout the book and this makes it a major theme.

What irony manifests itself from the sexual relationship between Fanny and Charles?

Charles a nobleman who first meets Fanny at Mrs. Brown's brothel. He aids Fanny to run away from the brothel to live with him in his apartment. They live together and later fall in love. They engage in sexual intercourse daily until one day Fanny realizes that she is pregnant. Charles wants to show Fanny how serious he is with the relationship and offers to introduces her to his dad. When they arrive at Charles's home, it is ironic that the man meant to be her father in law is the very person who wanted to pay the highest price for her virginity at Mrs. Brown's brothel! It is beyond the expectation of Fanny that Charles' father is an old man who is ever looking for prostitute women to have sex with.

Who is playing a big role fueling the business of prostitution in the book Fanny Hill by John Cleland?

Both men and women are participants in the sexual immorality business that is taking place in Fanny Hill. However, women are depicted as the primary players in this business because the brothels are owned by Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Cole. Cole and Brown are actively looking for male clients to sexually service their female customers such as Fanny. The role of men in this business is to pay for sex to keep the business going. Most women such as Fanny, Louisa, Emily, and Harriet are exchanging sex for money. Therefore, women play a bigger role in fueling prostitution in this book as compared to men.