|
TOM JONES
Because of its organization and symmetry, the best of Fielding’s novels is certainly Tom Jones [E1] [I1] [F1] [F2] [ES1] . The work is based on the conventions of the PICARESQUE NOVEL, especially imitating the model of Cervantes’ Don Quixote; however Fielding decided to use epic structures and constituent elements to describe comic situations. In other words his works are COMIC-EPIC NOVELS which apply an epic tone to trivial events, to light and ridiculous actions, involving middle-class and low class people. The plot is no longer based on a simple sequence of events, but is centred around a well knit, structured and organized combination of episodes.
Tom Jones is “dramatic” in structure, as it is divided into three parts, or “acts”, each one consisting of six books.
The first part covers a period of twenty-one years and is set in Somerset, where young Tom, a good-natured and generous foundling, is brought up as a son by Mr. Allworthy, who loves him more than his legitimate nephew Blifil, a hypocritical and conceited sneak. When more or less twenty, Tom falls in love with Sophia Western; she loves him against the will of her father, who does not want a foundling in his family. But Blifil, wishing to take revenge on his cousin, plans to replace Tom in the girls heart and deceitfully manages to make his uncle turn Tom away from his house.
The second part covers only a period of ten days and is set on the roads leading to London. While Tom leaves Allworthy’s house and sets out on his travels, Sophia, determined to escape from the marriage with Blifil imposed on her by her father, runs away from home with the connivance of her maid, and makes for London, where she means to place herself under the protection of a relative, Lady Bellaston. The two young people follow the same routes and even stop at the same inns without ever meeting. They are both confronted with many adventures, some of which see Tom involved in amorous feats.
The third part occupies a space of twenty-three days and is set in London, where the two lovers meet at last, After many other troubles as well as duels and love affairs, Tom is finally discovered to be the son of Allworthy’s sister and, Blifil’s machinations being exposed, he can at last reconcile himself with his uncle and ultimately marry Sophia.
Tom Jones was the first novel published by Fielding under his real name. He however called it a history not a novel to point out that it presented the society and the life of his time faithfully. Like all Fielding’ s novels, Tom Jones offered a realistic and genuine picture of eighteenth-century England (as the author was more interested in society than in the single characters).
It is characterized by the use of the third-person narrative technique; the narrator s obtrusive, because he intervenes in the narration with warnings, ironic comments and moral reflections about what happens.
13/15
|
