The Concep!

Dlet, Pled o
omi Jongs
Author:
* Ronald Salmon Coane s an Aneoican iteseoy
Cic and a leading quoe o chicago School

coiicsM also knoon as

Y ne Chicago School o
Coitice 0 Neo - A1s404eians,
the Chicago
emesged cuing tue 2dnc
}Neo- Aorstotelians they adapted theis deas
and thcori es toom Ats totle's Rhetonc 4 Poetics.
oere cqainst Neo CniHcism's poatice of
} They
oGecting histoaeal analysis.
gave importane to tne fo) and matte
They content
o the textthan the
pluals, tha
# hey stuck on the idea
advocales many dijeoent omn } iBesay
CoiHcisw than a Singte method.
Oas incuced in his book The
Jhs essay Anüent and oden
Antholoy Coit cs Coi HHis m:
pubis hed in 1452
Analya3 o| the Concept of plot and the
Plot o lorm Jones.pȊpaymonyan sYamosss qPAM

Beqlns how itte

the coSay by 5aytng, Jones
appocci cted novel, Tom atleasJ

extaamey drsappointed in the

"plot" in geneal is viesed by cntics in
peaticular the plot o om Janes.
* We (onsiden plot as another elenent o
novel (which can easiy to abStoacted toum
ohuer elements ike Chaater thouat
diction:
us plot ls elhen a feme Look, deice
0 mechansm,ohich can be declared cs
qood i} 1 shovos vagiety (nidenisss
pense 4Suoprse and the hoppeings in the
ng and nmiddie cOntoi bute to the
beytni
2C50ution at the end.

Csane asgues ths perlepton to be very

Cmited and abstoact ot plot
* he plot ol any novel o doama is the
particular tempoa s4nthess e(lected by
the oi teraMong the ation,
elements o
chooactes 4 thoughatoithiclonDNAi tsB.odhe
marter. "aouajoepun ouoLAN SÁvdsusuqy

Therefose oe canno) ana yse a plot oilho t

* Consiolong ll 3 o) the eloment
A Plots may diler in stouctune in consldera.
Hion tha Lohich One o) the 3 elem ents
rs taken as the synthesiing poinuple
hus thes e occus 3 types o} plofs
O Plot o) aion
’1he nthe sizing poinciple s a completed,
qoadual og Sudden in the jostunes of
tne potagonist - dletermined 4 o|lecfed
by ehaates a thougt.
E9: Oedipus
Plot of chaaades
’A cona pleted poocess o chonge in the
moal chaoater of the po kagonst
pocipi taed molded by acHon 4thougt
eg! Pencentsesis
Plot o thoyt
> change in the thorght and jeeling o the
pootagonist - Londi Honed drseded by
haoaCer $ action.
:maius the Eplusean Pategs
bolqx of oM
A Most o tne classic plot the plot
Jones including are plot 13 educedd to
DEaSOn toaditocl idea o
hy
ta bear 1s dhati a plot 3 hot
+ One tnlng snthesis o) ati cular
ticla
matoials o Chosac nou aion -
a smthes13 that ( i tates human
but
 activities in
certain powe o-fet ptAhonyopiniOMs
omoBions
Houweuerthese 3 elemen s consHue only
+he baokeia aspect o a plot nothe o
¥ he fooma aspet o< a plok s the 11 pove
orch the 3 Syntesi5 o the ateral aspet
poovtcles to ayect Ouy cnoHons opinions
tn a pasti cula
tThes& seies o actions, eNents 4 hogns o
anovel aOuscs (n ws,3EA expctatous
about shat re qoing to happen in the
SBoy, nmaking us oeopovnd in awy ilke

he fomm o the pot gives cdeinitethea tstic

Shape o a pashclar esisn to
eleen s

* Tho lom ol tne ploF s the final end al

hrs cinal in teution to
flect our emoHons >easons 6 t o na ke
Qcspond tn a paoti uler ay
spect ot the
+ Everyachieve nvel i5 explolted to
4o thisoledehnie end.
s, Plot loeolatton oih o cno le

n Since its o (t aspect o novel; it shouel

albo be th principle
 3
* Coane suggest 3 nings jo detemnning
to potnuple ah any plot.
)he qenel esimate o) tuo wmoral
chasates as a oeslt o ww we tene
40 y oish the neo
haactS ei nes qoocl
bad dotune ln the enol
i)natuse o eNents that befall
eithes painpleousable (onse
having
4uences
(iri) he opinions e made Conceng the
degpee ard kind of h6 sesponsibiihy o1
what happens to him
# louoaods t o end dhe essay ,Cocne enplars
Lohey tne plDt O îom Jones s coteGoSeg
as a commc plot
* Al1 ootune thaf Jell upon Tom eihes bad
qood dioecty aise out o} Toms mistaks
Fieldling coeation o the haoactens o the
novel t5 ayue in tne
o) its plot
Vaios devices o the
naoation tor he toma Hon othe
plor o tuo novel
odeauate anayss ttoe plot
examine all t o may anol
mino aspect ol hasa , dialoques,
dictton 4 sywnbols -
+ Helping
hao it eo oy
 THE CONCEPT OF PLOT &PLOT OF TOM JONES

About the Author

Ronald Salmon Crane

Ronald Salmon Crane, a much less discussed figure in today's literary circles, is an American
literary critic and a leading figure of the Chcago Schoolof criticism, The Chicago Schoolof criticism
also known as the Chicago Citics or NeOAristotelians, emerged during twentieth century, but
unfortunately did not attract much attention due to the dominant role of the New Criticism.
Born in Tecumseh, Michigan, R.S Crane received his B.A from the University of Michigan in 1908
and his Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania in 1911. That same year he became an
instructor of English at Northwestern University, where he was soon promoted to an Assistant
Professor, and later to an Associate Professor in 1920. He continued to teach there until 1924. Then
moved to University of Chicago and taught there till 1951
Neo Aristotelianisn came into notice in 1935 by the publication of Crane's article, History versus
Criticism in the Study of Literature This essay is considered as the first publication of the Chicago
School Richard Mckeon, Elder Olson and Norman Maclean were the other members of this group.
They adapted their ideas and theories from Aristotle's Rhetoicand Poetics with certain modifications,
hence came the name Neo Aristotelians. They were against New Criticisms practice of rejecting
historical analysis and its emphasis on poetry rather than other genres. Rather, Neo-Aristotelians
stuck on to the idea of 'pluralism', which is a relativist approach that advocates many different forms
of literary criticism, each of which has its own interpretative powers and limitations. In other words,
the Chicago Schoo/did not advocate any single method, but several, to be adopted and applied by the
needs of the given text and situation. They gave importance to the 'form' and 'matter of the text to be
analyzed. But Crane is aware of the fact that all methods have certain defects and he himself pointed
out certain faults of his criticism, which shows his unbiased mode of writing. His book The Anthology
Critics and Criticism: Ancient and Modernpublished in 1952; contains many examples of their
approach, including his own reading of om Jones The Concept of Plot and the Plot of Tom Jones.

Literary Backgroundto Tom Jones

Henry Fielding's life falls entirely within what is known as the 'Augustan' period of English literature
and taste. Neo-classicism (the revival of classical style or treatment in art, literature, architecture, or
music) was at its height in the first half of the eighteenth century, and along with the elegance and
refinement of this went a taste for victorious satire, wit and bawdiness.
 B2

The tone had been set in the last forty years of the seventeenth century (since the Restoration of
Charles Il in 1600 and the temporary defeat of Puritanism). The theatres, which had been closed under
Cromwell, came back to a very vigorous life, with women playing fernale roles for the first time. The
satirical brilliance of Restoration comedy, often based on explicitly sexual themes, was balanced by
some attempts at writing classical tragedy and by a 'classicisation' of earlier plays and plots.Vanbrugh,
Etherege, Wycherley, the Duke of Buckingham and others are among comic dramatists of this period
mentioned by Fielding in Tom Jones (and imitated by him in his career as a playwright, 1729-37).
Synopsis of Tonm Jones
The History of Tomn Jones, a Foundlingoften known simply as Tom Jones is a novel written by
Henry Fielding and published in 1749. It is both a Bildungsroman and a picaresque novel. The novel is
complex and lengthy which contains eighteen books. But its well organized structure has won it the
pratses of several critics. The novel deals with the adventures of Tom Jones, with acomic tone. It s
one of the earlier novels, which introduced the idea of realism and the genre novel itself. It gives a
lear picture of the urban London lite of eighteenth century. Fielding didnt draw the plot trom
classical and Christian mythology, epics, history, Bible etc. Rather he focused on the incidents which
were quite common duringthat age. This use of realism in his works madeunders
genre itself- he along with Samuel Richardson, referred to as one of the
him the founder of a new
of the English Novel.
Tom Jones is the story of Tom Jones, a foundling who was brought up by Squire Allworthy, a
wealthy landowner and his unmarried sister Bridget Allworthy. Squire is a widower who lives at his
estate Paradise Hall, in Southwestern England. When he comes back from a three month stay in
London, he finds out an anonymous child in his bed. He decides to raise the little kid, and named him
Tom. A rumor spread in the village that, Jenny Jones, a servant in the household of the local
schoolmaster Partridge, might be the mother of Tom. When Squire questioned her, she admitted that
she was the one who put Tom in Squire's bed. Squire gave her sormne money so that she can leave the
village and start living somewhere else. Since he didn't handover her to police, villagers spread another
rumor that, Squire might be Tom's biological father. Later the poverty stricken Partridge left the village
on his own will. Avoiding all the criticisms, Allworthy decided to bring up the boy. Meanwhile, the huge
fortune of Allworthy, made his sister so attractive to men who wanted to become rich in an easy way.
Since Squire is a widower and doesn't have any intention of remarrying, Bridget will be the sole
inheritor of all fortunes. Captain was one among these fortune seekers, and he succeeded in wooing
her. Soon after the marriage Captain and Bridget Allworthy had a baby boy, who is supposed to be the
sole heir of Mr.Alworthy. But Tom's presence was a threat to this, and this realization made Captain
Blifil to turn strongly against poor Tom. He hears a rumor that, Mr. Partridge is assumed to be Tom's
biological father, and thinks that if it is proved to be true, Squire will handover Tom to Mr. Partridge, so
that he will no longer be a threat to Blifil. He discusses with Mr.Allvworthy about this news. Due to the
lack of strong evidences, Squire refused to give up the baby, thus Captain Blifil failed to abandon Tom.
Fielding skips twelve years and jump forward. We see Tom as a teenager now. Tom and Blifil have
 B3

brought up together, but receive different treatment from the other members of the household. Tom
was a crazy boy, a mischief-maker, but still good at heart. He causes troubles to everyone, and his
tutors Mr.Thwackum and Mr.Square consider him as a bad seed. They prefer Blifila good mannered
boy, but who is an excellent manipulator and knows how to please everyone. Thus seems to be perfect
and saintly, During their late teens, Tom came to notice of his affection towards Sophia Western the
beautiful and young girl, who is his neighbor Mr.Squire Western's daughter. But Tom's illegal relation
with Molly becomes an obstacle to their union. Whle Tom was worried about all these, Squire falls
seriously ill, He read out the will, in which most of his fortune was endowed with Blifil. Tom, who was
not aware of these money matters, experiences great emotion and barely left Squire sbedside.
Meanwhile, a lawyer named Dawling came and announced the sudden and unexpected death of
Bridget Allworthy. After the doctor has announced that Squire will not die, Tom rejoices and getting
drunk which leads to the quarrel between him and Bifil. Later in the evening Blifil with the assistance
of Thwackum and Square, spot Molly with Tom in the woods
Meanwhile Mrs. Square, Sophia saunt visits the estate and finds out that Sophia is in love. But she
thinks that her niece wants to marry Blifil, which leads to more and more complications. Later Mrs.
Square finds out that Sophia loves Tom instead of Blifil. These issues grow in an ample size and ends
up with the expulsion of Tom from his home.
Tom wanders in the countryside and happens to meet with Partridge-who becomes his loyal
seryant-and Mrs Waters with whomhe starts an affair at a local inn Meanwhile Sonhia who has run
yfrom her home in order to avoid marriage with Blifil, stops at the inn and finds out that Tom, is
affair with Mrs.Waters. She left her muff in To's bed so that he when he wake up, he will
come to know about her arrival. When he carne to see her muff in his bed, he felt so quilty and sets out
in pursuit for Sophia. Fitzpatrick, the Irishman arrives at the inn searching for his wife, Harriet, Sophia 's
cousin, whom shehe rides to London.
In London, she stays with her lady relative Lady Bellaston. Tom and Partridge, in London, stay with
Mrs. Miller and her daughters. Soon Tom starts an affair with Lady Bellaston, and he secretly
continues to pursue Sophia. When Lady Bellaston comes to know about their relation, she makes a
plan and asked Lord Fellamar to rape Sophia. Soon after Mrs. Western, Squire Western, Blifil, and
Allworthy arrives in London and Squire Western locks Sophia in a room. Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick and
Tom have a duel due to some misunderstanding, at the end of which Tom stabs him. Partridge visits
Tom in jail, with the ghastly news that Mrs.Waters is Jenny Jones, Tom's mother. Mrs.Waters meets
Allworthy and explains that Fitzpatrick is still alive, and that he has admitted to initiate the duel. She
also reveals the crookedness of Blifil, whose greed for fortune leads to the miseries of Tom. At last
she reveals that Tom's mother was Bridget Allworthy. After all revelations and confessions, the novel
comes to a happy end in which, Tom becomes the heir of Square Alworthy, Mrs. Miller speaks in favor
of Tom and Sophia is satisfied with this. After a lot of miseries and complications, they unite and live
happily on Western's estate with two children.
 34

Analysis of The concept of plot and the Plot of Tom Jones

The complex events and complicated plot are the reasons for the praises showered upon Tom
Jones. Crane in his essay The Concept of Plotand the Plot of Tom Jones gives a detailed re
evaluation of the novel, but not to praise it, rather to raise concerns about the nature of the conception
of plot in general and the plot of Tom Jones in particular. Crane begins by arguing that "of all the plots
constructed by English novelists that of Tom Jones has probably elicited the most unqualified praise"
Many critics have glorified the events, incidents and the plot of Tom Jones. Ss.T Coleridge once
suggested that, Oedipus Tyrannus, The Alchemist, and Tom Jones are the most perfect plots ever
planned.
In his essay, Crane speaks about a new approach, in which he gives more preference to the 'form'
than the 'content. According to his definitions, form' is the synthesizing factor that gives 'power' and a
particular combination to the 'content' or the material aspects of a literary work, and the first principle
of a criticism of the textual properties of a work. Then he evaluates the nature and critical adequacy of
plot according to the past critics' definitions. He finds that the definition given by the past critics as an
extremely limited one. In their concept, plot is just one among the various elements ofa novel, such as
character, thought and diction. In this sense, the greatness and goodness ofa plot depend on the
variety of incidents it includes, on how the story evokes suspense and surprise and the success the
novelist achieves in executing the resolution at the end as a natural outcome of the happenings at the
beginning and at the middle of the novel. Crane points out that such a restricted definition can hardly
do justice to the analysis of the plot of a novel. According to Crane's definition, the elements of action,
character and thought constitute the matter of the writer's invention. These elements are taken as the
casual ingredients, and the structure of a plot widely differs according to the way in which these
elements are employed as the synthesizing principle- plots of action, plots of character, and plots of
thought. Since most of the classical plots were the plot of action, the elements of incidents received
much importance in the traditional idea of plot. Hence, critics neglected the other two equally
important aspects of character and thought. According to Crane, these three elements constitute the
material aspect of the plot. The plot or the incidents affect us, so that we become emotionally involved
with whatever happens in the work, and respond to the incidents portrayed. People cultivate in
themselves, a kind of desires and expectations about the incidents of the plot. These elements are
given a definite artistic shape by means of the form of the plot.
The essay is divided into five chapters, in which Crane has attempted an unbiased detailed study of
the concept of plot and the application of it in Tom Jones He has started the essay by giving a general
idea of the concept of plot, according to the past critics. He also mentions about his own notions and
definitions. Then he enters into the plot of Tom Jones, of which each incident is taken and analyzed
through which he gives proofs for how complex is the plot of Tom Jones and how it has artistically
portrayed. Then he points out certain defects of this plot, but still he supports Fielding for his
craftsmanship. Then he admits that, his own method has certain faults and he pointed out certain
modes to be incorporated with that-so that a better analysis and criticism will be possible
 B5

After establishing the general features of a plot, he proceeds to analyze the plot of Tom Jonesin
particular. The unifying idea by which the plot is held together is the sustained concealment and the
final disclosure of Tom's parentage. Other factors which contribute to this purpose are the love affair
between Tom and Sophia, the conflict between Tom and BIifil, and the adventures of Tom with several
women and on road. Even the combination of these different elements results in a distinctive and
dynamic unity. Then crane gives a detailed textual analysis of the novel, by taking several incidents as
to substantiate his notion of organic unity. He analyzes each and every events including Bridget's
scheme to provide security to both her son and herself, appearance of Blifil as Tom's antagonist,
Tom's affair with Sophia, his flight to London, his relations with various ladies, his miseries, final
revelations and ultimate turn of fortune in favor of Tom to bring about the final resolution of plot.
Crane argues that the unity of this plot is to be found in the total system of actions. He goes
forward into an analysis of various elements which contribute to the strength of the plot. The
character trait of the hero is one among these. Tom is intrinsically virtuous, who had to face a lot of
miseries in his life We follow him throughout the incidents that all happened to him, as a result of
which we cultivate a kind of emotional bond with him. But as the plot proceeds, our fear for the hero
declines and we will be pretty sure that nothing irreparable will befall the hero. Then Crane presents a
contrast between the comic plot of Tom Jones and the comic plots of some other classic works.
After having established the plot of om Jones as a product of powerful and dynamic form, Crane
analyses some of its shortcomings. But after stating some general faults, he continues to say that
despite such minor mistakes, there are not many novels of comparable length in which the various
parts are conceived and developed in a successful manner. Then he praises Fielding for his skilful
handling the various incidents which directly arise out of Tom's mistakes. He points out that, even
though the protagonist is not a figure of notable vitues, we do not feel any hatred towards him, simply
because of the mastery of the author. The plot is obviously a complicated one, which generates much
pain and inner sufferings for the hero; all his misfortunes were a consequence of not only the villainy
of the antagonist, but also of his own actions. Saying this, he points out to the comic tone of the novel.
There are evident comic traits in all the persons who cause trouble for Tom and Sophia. Lord Fellamar,
the half hearted rake;, Fitzpatrick, the unfaithful but jealous husband, Dowling. the man always in a
hurry; Lady Bellaston, who makes plans for creating obstructions for the union of Tom and Sophia; and
both Tom and Sophia themselves have certain comic traits in them. Throughout the essay, Crane
gives examples for how complicated the plot is, and how the confusing events are skilfully fitted in it.
He points out the atistic skill of Fielding.
After all these evaluations and examinations, Crane doesn't hesitate to admit that like all other
criticisms, his method too has its own faults. he is not blind to the defects of this formalistic approach.
He admits that, even though it can adequately exhibit how the material parts of a work contribute to
the achievement of the expected effect, it can hardly do justice to the analysis of how the various
parts in a work develop themselves.
He is aware that this method is applicable to evaluate the performance of a writer-than to make a
 B6

comparative judgment of the literary greatness and seriousness of a work. It isolates a work of art as
a finished product-from the rest of its species.
The inadequacies and defects of formal criticism do not affect its positive qualities. Like every
other modes of criticism, it too has igw of
some defects. That's all. Demonstrating the 'pluralist' view
rane b dhe sunnlermented by ts that it
shout suggestS thd, of ppiemented by some otner criticism. He sUggests
be supplemented by the criticism of qualities and by historical enquiries of various sorts
The criticism of qualities and the investigation of historical origins and significances may be done
independently, but will attain better results when solidly founded on formal principles.The thorough
analysis of the text, pointing out the negatives and positives of it, admitting the faults of own method
of criticism, and the final suggestion of some methods- that are to be included in his own criticism are
the clues for his unbiased method of writing.
The Concept of Plot and the Plot of Tom Jonesis a best example for how Crane has incorporated
his ideas of criticism in a given text. Through this essay, it is evident how Crane analyzes and defines
the events. It is alsoa proof for the unbiased mode of criticism of Crane. Even though Neo
Aristotelians were shadowed by the glory of New Criticism, Crane's ideas were praise worthy.
Possible Questions
Crane as a 'critic'

2. Crane's ideas of criticism in The Concept of Plot and the Plot of Tom Jones.
3. Analyze the plot of Tom Jones with respect to Ronald Salmon Crane's essay.
Discuss the structure of Tom Jones

Reference
YORK NOTES by Lance St John Butler. "Henry Fielding TOM JONES,1981
Crane,Ronald Salmon. "The Concept of Plot and the Plot of Tom Jones." Rlwclarke.net N.p, n.d. Web,
2 Dec. 2015.
<http//www.rlwclarke net/Theory/SourcesPrimary/CraneConceptofPlotandthePlotofTomJones.pdf>.
. Gould, Henry. "A Note on RS. Crane. Web log post. HG Essays Reviews N.p, 7 Oct. 2005. Web. 12
Dec. 2015. <htp://hgessrev.blogspot.in/2005/10/note on-r.htmi.
http://www.shmoop.com/tomjones-book/summary.html
The Novel:
hAnttoe:y oCriticism and Theory 1900.2000
.google.co in/books?isbn=114051077AX