Tom Jones

Tom Jones is a foundling discovered on the property of a very kind, wealthy landowner,
Squire Allworthy, in Somerset in England's West Country. Tom grows into a vigorous and
lusty, yet honest and kind-hearted, youth. He develops affection for his neighbour's daughter,
Sophia Western. On one hand, their love reflects the romantic comedy genre that was popular
in 18th-century Britain. However, Tom's status as a bastard causes Sophia's father and
Allworthy to oppose their love; this criticism of class friction in society acted as a biting
social commentary. The inclusion of prostitution and sexual promiscuity in the plot was also
original for its time, and also acted as the foundation for criticism of the book's "lowness."
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
evident in his assertion that the character of Sophia Western is based on her. There are wistful
comments from the narrator regarding the immortalization of the writer and his muse, and
Sophias gentility and resolve makes her a fitting monument to Charlotte. The novel was not
completed until 1748, almost a year after Fielding married Mary Daniel, his former wifes
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 in the happy marriage of
Nightingale and Nancy Miller later in the novel.
Tom Jones, like its eponymous hero, was heavily condemned upon its debut. Fielding's
exploration of a new form of writing and entertainment was labeled as corrupt and vicious,
even though his purpose was clearly to present human nature for exploration and comment by
the reader, rather than 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 in the Preface) "to recommend goodness and innocence." (37)
The narrator provides that his purpose in the text will be to explore "human nature." As such,
his story veers between several extremes - comedy and tragedy, low and high society, moral
and base.

One of Tom's serious problems in this novel is that he doesn't know who his parents are.
This lack of a definite origin story really matters in a social world where a person's parents
(and their fortunes) determine that person's own social status. Tom's uncertain birth makes it
impossible for him to marry Sophia, and it keeps his relationship with Squire Allworthy
unstable and insecure.

Moreover, the fact that Tom's lovers include a feisty, unfeminine wench and two middle-aged
women suggest that his motives are various. Tom also treats women with the utmost respect,
obliging their desire to be courted by pretending to be the seducer even when they are
seducing him. Tom refuses to abandon Molly for Sophia and is plagued by his obligations to
Lady Bellaston. Nonetheless, Tom's refusal of the tempting marriage proposal of Arabella
Huntwhose last name underscores the fact that Tom is hunted more often than he is the
hunterindicates that he has mended his wild ways and is ready to become Sophia's
husband. Tom's gallantry reveals itself in his relationships with men as well as women,
however. This spirit is evident in Tom's insistence on paying the drinking bill for the army
men at Bristol, and in his gallant defense of himself in the duel.
The narrator skips forward twelve years. Blifil and Tom Jones have been brought up together,
but receive vastly different treatment from the other members of the household. Allworthy is
the only person who shows consistent affection for Tom.