Imagine a sinner condemned by society, yet possessing a more kind-hearted nature than the so-called honorable people. What if a highly respected face hides the bleakest intentions behind it? Such questions form the core of Henry Fielding’s The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, a highly acclaimed work of fiction that goes beyond being merely a fascinating love story to become a thorough examination of human nature.
The debut of this book happened on the 28th day of February in the year 1749 by Andrew Millar. The author made six volumes of this outstanding piece. This novel proved to be a huge success and created demand for it so high that people had to be informed that copies of the book would be available only in the unbound form, as the bound volumes could not be printed fast enough to satisfy the audience.
The novel version begins with the character of the noble man Squire Allworthy. One day this nobleman finds the baby in a bed of his house and names him Tom Jones. Tom Jones grows up as the son of Squire Allworthy and his relation Blifil. It’s important to mention that the two boys grow up side by side, but their personalities and temper are diametrically opposite.
The character of Squire Allworthy is kind and clever, which makes him attractive to the women. In contrast, his cousin Blifil is portrayed as evil and becomes accustomed to pretending to be honest while engaging in wrongdoing.
The contrast between the two boys is a beneficial chance for Fielding to bring forward his question about the real definition of the term “goodness.”
Tom Jones goes through many events in his life because he has strong feelings for Sophia Western, one of the daughters of a nearby landowner. He faces accusations, complicated love relationships, accidents, and misunderstandings throughout the story.
The writer’s approach to the idea of imperfection contributes to the novel’s marvelous success. Tom is not perfect, and Fielding recognizes this fact. Just like in real life, Tom’s actions entail certain consequences, which make his moral progress believable enough in the comparison with the idealized one. At the same time, the writer’s interpretation of humans and their weaknesses appears to be open to arguments. Have Tom’s actions brought him too much forgiveness?
Fielding’s narration is worth analyzing as well. The novel consists of 18 parts, which include a really tightly knit plot accompanied by funny elements, various philosophical ideas, and a direct communication between the reader and the narrator. His first chapters are more like some sort of playful essays on storytelling. The narration is rather creative and captivating.
The renowned poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge remarked that Tom Jones should be placed on the same shelf as the works of popular playwrights such as Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus and Ben Jonson’s Alchemist, complimenting all three authors for their unique storytelling. Fielding’s amazing insights into human nature are still valid today. However, on the other side, modern readers may have some reservations regarding certain long digressions and attitudes towards women during this era.
Sophia is a courageous and independent character, but she is nevertheless limited by the surrounding norms of society that restrict women’s freedom.
In conclusion, Tom Jones will remain relevant because it does not try to see humans in simple words of morality, such as good versus evil. While being full of humoristic approach, romantic events, and amazing deceptions, the novel contains a meaning that can be applied to a variety of situations: it is impossible to judge whether a person is innocent based on the image created by the surrounding people.
