The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling (Volumes 1 and 2)

Author: Henry Fielding (United Kingdom)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-01-01
Features: The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling is Fielding's masterpiece. In terms of the breadth and depth of its reflection on reality, this work can be called a prose epic of 18th-century British society. The book is divided into 18 volumes, featuring over 40 characters, with the central plot describing the life and adventures of the foundling Tom Jones. Tom Jones is an illegitimate child, abandoned shortly after birth. He is later adopted by the gentleman Mr. Allworthy. Mr. Allworthy arranges for Tom Jones to fall in love with Sophia, the daughter of the estate owner. Blifil becomes extremely jealous and tries to slander Tom Jones in front of his uncle, Mr. Allworthy. As a result, Tom Jones is banished and wanders about. In London, he is imprisoned after injuring a rogue. Sophia's father forces her to marry Blifil, but Sophia defies her father's command and also flees to London, finding Tom Jones. Later, Tom Jones's true identity is revealed—he is the illegitimate son of Mr. Allworthy's own sister, making him and Blifil half-brothers with different fathers. The story concludes with Blifil's plot to persecute Tom Jones being exposed, and Tom Jones marrying Sophia. The social background of the novel is vast: the first six volumes depict rural life, the middle six volumes describe the journey from the countryside to London, and the final six volumes are set in London. Through the words, thoughts, and emotions of various characters, the author summarizes the entire picture of British social life at the time. At the same time, by depicting the fates and relationships of different characters, the novel expresses the humanitarian ideal that good will ultimately triumph over evil. The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling also achieves great artistic success. The renowned British poet Coleridge considered the plot of this work to be one of the most perfect in all literature, and its structure is a model of English fiction.