1. Do you think Fielding attempts to correct distortions in
human behavior through the moral view point of Tom Jones?
Fielding began writing Tom Jones in 1746. it had been a
wildly ambitious book which, in attempting to portray the nuances of real world
, angered many but ultimately delighted generations of readers through both its
influence and sprawling narrative. The book's conception owes much to
Fielding's personal life. At the time, he was deeply traumatized by the 1744
death of his wife Charlotte Cradock, and his lingering affection is clear in
his assertion that the character of Sophia Western is predicated on her. There
are wistful comments from the narrator regarding the immortalization of the
author and his muse, and Sophia’s gentility and resolve makes her a fitting
monument to Charlotte.
The novel wasn't completed until 1748, almost a year
after Fielding married Mary Daniel, his former wife’s maid. She was pregnant by
Fielding, and despite the gossip and social criticism, he stood proudly by his
new wife. There are elements of this happy union within the happy marriage of
Nightingale and Nancy Miller later within the novel. Tom Jones, like its
eponymous hero, was heavily condemned upon its debut. Fielding's exploration of
a replacement sort of writing and entertainment was labeled as corrupt and
harsh , albeit his purpose was clearly to present attribute for exploration and
comment by the reader, instead of to protest against its various weaknesses.
Thomas Sherlock, the Bishop of London, protested that the earthquakes which
rocked London in February and March of 1750 were divine punishment for the
publication of this, and other, immoral texts. References to the episodes of
casual sex were frequently cited as inappropriate, despite Fielding's intent
(as stated within the Preface) "to recommend goodness and innocence."
The narrator provides that his purpose within the text are
going to be to explore "human nature." As such, his story veers
between several extremes - comedy and tragedy, low and society , moral and
base. Squire Allworthy, a person defined by his interminable kindness, returns
to his Somersetshire estate to seek out a toddler abandoned in his bed. He
gives the kid to his sister Bridget to seem after, and that they investigate to
work out that the child's mother may be a girl named Jenny Jones. She leaves
the world , and Allworthy decides to boost the boy, Tom Jones.
Tom is mentioned alongside Allworthy’s nephew Blifil,
Bridget's son. they're educated by two men of differing outlook, Thwackum and
Square. Blifil may be a miserable and jealous boy. Tom is an impetuous
character who supports his friend, the poor gamekeeper Black George Seagrim,
even when that support causes him trouble. Meanwhile, through his relationship
with Squire Western, Allworthy's boorish but affable neighbor, Tom slowly falls
crazy with the squire's daughter Sophia, who also involves love him.
However, Tom cannot pursue Sophia because his girlfriend
Molly, daughter to Black George, grows pregnant with what he believes to be his
son. When he's revealed to not be the daddy of Molly’s child, Tom is liberal to
pursue his emerging love for Sophia. Blifil conspires against Tom, and he's
unjustly clothed of Allworthy’s house and faraway from Sophia. Further, because
Tom may be a bastard child, Squire Western refuses to support Tom's suit for
Sophia, and instead wishes her to marry Blifil in order that he can consolidate
their lands.
Sophia hates Blifil, and is tortured by her father's cruel
insistence. Allworthy gives Tom a good sum of cash to support himself, but it's
stolen by Black George. Tom considers joining the military. He meets up with
Partridge, a teacher-cum-barber whose reputation was ruined when he was
believed to be Tom’s father years before. Partridge initially believes that he
can return to Allworthy’s favor if he reunites the person with Tom, but
Partridge ultimately becomes a faithful companion along the way. Tom frequently
shows his benevolent spirit by helping an unsuccessful highwayman, a beggar and
a woman in distress - all gestures which are richly repaid later within the
novel. Sophia is locked up for refusing to marry Blifil. She flees, and both
Tom and Sophia attempt to locate one another on their respective journeys to
London.
She discovers he has slept with Mrs. Waters (a woman he
rescues) which he's mentioning her name to strangers, and she or he decides he
must not love her. She then heads to London, and Tom follows her. While in
London, Tom takes up with the promiscuous and wily Lady Bellaston, with whom
Sophia is staying. She promises to assist him but endeavors to stay the lovers
apart. Sophia is additionally roughly courted by Lord Fellamar. Her aunt, Lady
Western, is anxious for her to marry him, whereas her father remains adamant
that she is going to marry Blifil. Sophia decides she is going to marry no-one
without her father’s consent, but also will not be told whom to marry.
Tom is innocently trapped during a duel and imprisoned. His
friend Nightingale, loyal companion Partridge, and devoted landlady Mrs. Miller
investigate the course of Tom’s imprisonment and sustain his contact with
Sophia. there's tension when it's initially believed that Mrs. Waters is Tom’s
mother, but this is often revealed to be untrue. Allworthy is shocked to get
that Tom is his nephew, Bridget’s illegitimate but first-born son, which Blifil
has known about this since his mother’s death. it's discovered that Blifil
engineered Tom's imprisonment to urge him out of the way. the fees against Tom
are dropped and his marriage to Sophia is blessed by both Allworthy and Squire
Western. Blifil is banished but has an annuity from Allworthy and Tom. Sophia
and Tom live happily, on the brink of Nightingale and Mrs. Miller’s daughter
Nancy, whose union Tom facilitated. Partridge is given an annuity to start out
a replacement school and marries Tom’s first girl, Molly Seagrim.
Fielding has here changed the concept of virtue. He has
presented his virtues protagonist with manly weakness. Tom Jones may be a
virtuous person whose love for Sophia is pure but his weakness forced him to
possess relations with three other women Mr. Allworthy is praised as a virtuous
man everywhere the region. Blifil was considered virtuous but he has none. Tom
the hero steals but to assist his servant virtue in Tom Jones is to be taken in
broad sense. The writer’s view is different than other writers. He believes
that a person is filled with weakness but yet he can remain virtuous.
Hypocrisy:- Hypocrisy in one among the themes. Here, many
rural and concrete characters are Hippocratic. Sophia’s aunt, Lady Bellaston,
Thwacked, Squire, Blifil are hollow people that tried to pretentious. Journey:
As most of the epics of ancient India’s and Greek’s heroes, hero of this novel
also travels tons after he's thrown faraway from Mr. Allworthy’s house. His
education of life and philosophy starts on the journey. Not only the hero but
also heroine sets out a journey. They both learn from the experiences of the
various places. Meeting different people they're acquainted to the ways of the
planet .
Romance: From beginning till the top the novel is filled with
romance. The exposure of the hero also as heroine from rural and concrete life
is romantic. Many other adventures incidents increase the reader’s romance. The
reader travels with the author with curiosity to varied places. the author has
keenly written minute details of the characters which are not any less
romantic.
Love: Love has various forms within the novel. Father Son’s
Love, father – daughter’s love for servant, hero’s love for heroine, common
person’s love permanently person, a soldier’s love for his country and greed’s
love for money are well defined within the novel through the characters, like
Allworthy. Tom, Mr. Western, Sophia, Tom – Molly and Black George, Tom –
Sophia, Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Waters – Tom etc. Contemporary Social Scenario:
The vices of the society are ridiculed by Fielding wisely and also without
creating havoc, one by one evil customs of the society are satirized
effectively and efficiently.
Patriotism: Tom Captain and Solider were wanting to crush the
rebel for the sake of motherland; Nationalist feeling is aroused because the
patriotic matter is raised. England in those days suffered from many internal
problems. Stereotypes: Fielding broke many rules of novel writing in Tom Jones.
He couldn't clarify what sort of novel is Tom Jones. Whether it's philosophical
history, romance or epicomic prosaic poem Tom as qualities of hero also as
villain’s, on the opposite hand man and ladies both suffer and fight out things
. Art as a theme: The novel is artistic. it's women in such how that at the top
of the many chapters there's a future hint – what would happen next is hinted. The
author skillfully warns us that he would omit a scene. No vulgar action is
mentioned. He prevents us from suspending ourselves from any disbelief and
expecting the narration ahead.
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