Most of Daniel Defoe's novels include major characters who do not belong to the upper class and suffer a life of hardship. What may have helped the writer to realistically portray such settings for his novel?

A. his close friendship with middle- and lower-class people

B. his own upbringing in a lower middle-class family

C. his own hardships during his frequent visits to prison

D. his visits to poorer sections of the city to preach religion