In 'The History and Remarkable Life of the Truly Honourable Colonel Jacque' (1722), commonly known as 'Colonel Jack', what is the protagonist's journey regarding his social status?
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Correct answer: An abandoned London thief who becomes an indentured servant, then a wealthy Virginia planter.
'Colonel Jack' explores the themes of class mobility, childhood neglect, and rehabilitation. Jack begins as a pickpocket pickpocket in the slums of London, is kidnapped and sold into indentured servitude in the American colonies, but earns his freedom through industry and intelligence. He ultimately achieves his dream of becoming a gentleman, reflecting Defoe's favorite theme that character is forged through economic survival.
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