Prostitution in 18th century London in John Cleland’s Fanny Hill or Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure

Literature is human creative work which has value. It expresses the truth of experience in term of beauty and indicates the social significant. Studying literature especially a novel, is one of interesting activity for the researcher because it can reveal the truth event inside the novel. Literature is the expression of the author about the environment he or she sees and feels.

Literary works can not be separated from people’s life. Moreover literary works have function as mediators to show the portrait of the fact, and sometimes literary works are able to cover the weaknesses of a society.

Fanny Hill or Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure is a novel that explores the real condition in 18th century London. Related to this case, the purposes of this study are to describe the causes of prostitution depicted in Fanny Hill or Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, to describe the effects of prostitution on prostitutes depicted in Fanny Hill or Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, and to find out to what extent the novel reflects the real phenomena of prostitution in 18th century London society

This research employs literary criticism by using sociological criticism. Sociological criticism means that literary works are as the Mirror of society. It is reflection or representation of the real life. The literary works are vehicle for ideas, a reflection of social reality, and the material fact.

As the result, the researcher finds that the novel Fanny Hill or Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure reflects the real condition in London especially in early 18th century. It can be seen from the story of main character, Fanny Hill. In this novel, she works as a prostitute in London. Prostitution is the great phenomenon in London. It is caused by poverty which cause the poor society especially women choose profession of prostitution. Prostitution in London is supported by children trafficking in bawdy houses which spread in London. In the mean time, the habitual of upper and middle classes always fill their life extravagantly. This activity is completed by drinking and prostitution. While, the law does not give attention with prostitution activity.

Prostitution gives economic and social effects toward prostitutes. Economically, prostitution can change their life from poverty became better life, they can increase their economy, they can enjoy their new life. Socially, prostitutes became an object of man pleasure. They are viewed as working class who has to do what the upper and middle class want although the prostitutes often treated rudely by their customers. The wealth which upper and middle classes have caused them have authority to act accordingly.