TOM JONES - HENRY FIELDING

Summary
The novel is prefaced with a dedication to the Honorable George Lyttleton, Esquire. Henry
Fielding credits Lyttleton with giving him the idea for the story as well as material support while he was
writing it. The author mentions two additional benefactors who served as the models for the picture of
the "benevolent mind" found in his "history." He then leans on Lyttleton's reputation to say that the
reader will not find anything "prejudicial to the cause of religion and virtue" and "nothing inconsistent
with the strictest rules of decency." His work seeks to teach people that it is in their interest to pursue
virtue. Finally "virtue and innocence" can be injured by "indiscretion," and he intends to use "wit and
humour ... to laugh mankind out of their favourite follies and vices."
Analysis
Henry Fielding speaks as the author and takes the opportunity to express gratitude, a virtue he held in
high esteem. He ascribes all the good characteristics of Squire Mr. Allworthy—the novel's Christian
exemplar—to three men he considers to be his benefactors. But Mr. Allworthy has his shortcomings, so
Fielding is shrewd to spread his inspiration among them. Fielding takes pains to emphasize that his is a
moral tale, joining a host of authors who, in the name of virtue, nevertheless provide ample
entertainment from the exercise of vice. At the outset he brings to the reader's attention that virtue and
innocence are most often hindered by indiscretion—or lack of prudence—which snares people in
"deceit and villainy." Tom Jones, the eponymous hero, famously lacks discretion. But once the story is
underway these moral snares turn up in a variety of places and often trip up even the most innocent
characters—including the virtuous squire, Mr. Allworthy.
Tom Jones | Book 1, Chapters 1–5 : Containing as much of the Birth of the Foundling as is necessary or
proper to acquaint the Reader with in the Beginning of this History.
Summary
Book 1, Chapter 1
The narrator, who describes himself as author, is readily identifiable as Henry Fielding. He begins by
announcing a "bill of fare to the feast" of his story. His offering is a "public ordinary, at which all persons
are welcome for their money." On the menu is the entirety of "human nature," and the excellence of the
meal will be the result of the author's skill in dressing up his "provision."
Book 1, Chapter 2
The setting is Somersetshire in the west of England, and Fielding introduces Mr. Thomas Allworthy, a
gentleman favored by both "nature and fortune" whose home is called Paradise Hall. He is an amiable and
healthy widower with "a benevolent heart" and has one of the largest estates in the country. His single
sister, Miss Bridget Allworthy, a plain woman "somewhat past the age of thirty," lives with him.
Book 1, Chapter 3
Mr. Allworthy is further described as keeping a good house, entertaining neighbors, and giving charity to
the poor. He's been gone from home about three months, and upon retiring late one evening on the day of
his return he finds a sleeping infant in his bed. He is delighted by the child and calls on the servant, Mrs.
Deborah Wilkins, to take the child and ensure he is cared for. She advises him to reject the "misbegotten
wretch," but he ignores her as the infant's hand has wrapped itself around one of his fingers, "seeming to
implore his assistance."
Book 1, Chapter 4
Bridget Allworthy is introduced to the infant in the morning and approves her brother's decision to keep
the child and raise it as his own, much to the surprise of Mrs. Wilkins.
Book 1, Chapter 5
Bridget shows some affection for the child and orders all that is necessary for his nursery, but she also
expresses to Mrs. Wilkins that she is simply obeying her brother's commands, which she construes as "an
encouragement to vice."
Analysis
Fielding calls his story a history, although the word novel was already in common use. In fact Fielding
mentions other "romances, novels, plays and poems" that do a poor job of depicting human nature. The
attitude and position of the narrator in the story is entirely consistent with the narrators of Candide (1759,
Voltaire), Don Juan (1819, Lord Byron), and The Three Musketeers and Don Quixote (1844 and 1605 and
1615, Miguel de Cervantes). Even the Romance of Tristan und Isolde (12th century, Beroul) has a narrator
with a careless attitude and a tongue-in-cheek humility. Thus Fielding makes a bold claim that his "feast"
is far superior to others', setting himself up as an authority and a writer of uncommon artistry. He will
continue to praise himself as well as condemn his inferiors as the novel unfolds—and he reserves special
scorn for the professional critic. He also introduces a food metaphor: Tom Jones explores the sensual
passions, so he uses recurrent feast/eating references.
Mr. Allworthy, a primary character in the novel, has a name that reflects his status as a moral example. Yet
as the story progresses his morality is shown to be less than stellar. Fielding is a master of dramatic irony,
and Mr. Allworthy is referred to in Book 1, Chapter 2 as a "man of sense and constancy"; later he will fall
short of these virtues. Nonetheless, his basic goodness is apparent from the outset in his willingness to
adopt a bastard child whom Mrs. Wilkins urges be left at the door of the church warden. Mrs. Wilkins's
lack of Christian charity is juxtaposed with Mr. Allworthy's kindness, which puts her hypocrisy on
display, especially when she says the child "doth not smell like a Christian."
Bridget hides her affection for the child behind a mask of disapproval, saying that she will follow her
brother's orders even if they are wrong-headed. Significantly Mr. Allworthy has not seen his sister for
three months, which is a good thing: he has not noticed her pregnancy. Bridget is the true mother of the
child, although the narrator suppresses that fact until the end of the novel.
Book 1, Chapter 6
Mrs. Deborah (Mrs. Wilkins) takes to canvassing the village to uncover the guilty mother of the orphan
child. The narrator archly addresses the "sagacious reader" and notes that, although people did not
know the nature of Mrs. Deborah's business, they naturally ran away from the formidable matron
because she was known to "insult and tyrannize over little people." Suspicion falls on Jenny Jones, who
had been the servant of the schoolmaster and was recently fired by his wife in a jealous rage. Another
piece of evidence is that Jenny has recently and often been at Mr. Allworthy's house and nursed Bridget
through a long illness. When Mrs. Deborah confronts Jenny, she freely admits to being guilty as charged.
Book 1, Chapter 7
When Jenny is called before Mr. Allworthy, she is given a long and severe scolding, although he declines
to confine her to a house of correction. Mr. Allworthy refers to what she has done as a "heinous crime"
that drives her out of society. For this reason he plans to send her away from the "scene of [her] shame"
and allow her to make a fresh start. He asks the name of her seducer, but she refuses to give it, saying
she is under a religious vow to conceal his name. However, she promises to reveal it one day.
Book 1, Chapter 8
While this conversation is going on, Bridget gently scolds Mrs. Deborah for her excessive curiosity and
says Jenny acted honorably in admitting to being the child's mother, even while protecting her lover. She
speculates that Jenny was misled by her seducer and is at bottom a "good girl."
Book 1, Chapter 9
Once Jenny is removed from the neighborhood, people begin wagging their tongues about Mr.
Allworthy's behavior. The narrator explains that the public was denied the chance to be ashamed of
Jenny, and for this reason it turns its rage on Mr. Allworthy, who is now suspected as the father of the
child. In "tempering justice with mercy" and not sending Jenny to Bridewell, he has robbed "the mob" of
"an object for their compassion."
Analysis
Henry Power has pointed out that Fielding addresses the reader as sagacious at least 41 times when
speaking as the narrator, putting the reader in the position of "conjectural critic." This is at least partly a
mockery of an 18th-century critic who was known to go beyond the boundaries of a text, supposedly to
recover the author's meaning. Fielding, however, is acknowledging the relationship between reader and
text and interestingly anticipates modern critics' ideas about how the two together make meaning. The
narrator acknowledges he cannot control what the reader thinks and will slyly augment the reader's
power in some places by deliberately leaving out information and asking the reader to fill in the blanks.
This attribute of postmodern literature suggests this story was ahead of its time. At other places he will
kindly add important information as he does here—that although Mrs. Wilkins's neighbors do not know
why she is stalking about the village in Book 1, Chapter 6 she is well known as a shrew and a bully so
they immediately avoid her.
Mr. Allworthy may be a virtuous paragon, but in his conversation with Jenny Jones he shows a lack of
moral discrimination by referring to her giving birth to a bastard as a "heinous crime," which is surely an
exaggeration, even in Fielding's time. This scene parallels French playwright Moliere's Tartuffe (1664),
which delighted audiences with the huge gap between word and action. Mr. Allworthy as a rich
landowner acted as a judge (magistrate) and had the power to send Jenny to Bridewell prison for her
indiscretion. An unmarried woman and her child would be sent to a house of correction for a time, as
both a punishment and a way to make the woman pay for her own upkeep, through work at the prison.
Women without husbands otherwise had to rely on the parish to support them. Fielding means the
reader to read Mr. Allworthy's speech to Jenny in Book 1, Chapter 7 as containing situational irony,
which is when what happens is different from what is expected to happen. On the one hand he is not
wrong in pointing out the terrible consequences of a woman's indiscretion; on the other hand Fielding
saw society's treatment of an unwed mother as harsh and hypocritical. And Mr. Allworthy clearly holds
the view of society. His harshness, however, is mitigated by the fact that he does not send Jenny to
prison but sends her away and provides money for a new start because she has confessed to her
offense.
Summary
Book 1, Chapter 10
The narrator remarks on Mr. Allworthy's hospitality, saying he shut neither his heart nor his house to
"any part of mankind" although he preferred "men of merit." A frequent visitor is the unsuccessful Dr.
Blifil, who is attracted to Bridget. Since he is married he decides to arrange for his single brother, Captain
Blifil, to meet her. Within a week of the captain's stay at Mr. Allworthy's he is slyly courting the lady.
Book 1, Chapter 11
The captain is unattractive, but Bridget likes the charms of his conversation, the narrator says. For his
part he would "choose to possess every convenience of life with an ugly woman, than a handsome one
without any of those conveniences" and is much taken with Mr. Allworthy's wealth, since his sister is his
chief heir. The captain hides his intentions, thinking Mr. Allworthy will disapprove of so uneven a match.
Book 1, Chapter 12
The captain and Bridget secretly marry within a month, and Dr. Blifil brings Mr. Allworthy the news,
pretending to be angry and shocked and expecting anger from his benefactor. To the doctor's surprise
Mr. Allworthy says his sister is old enough to know her own mind and what will make her happy.
Book 1, Chapter 13
Although the captain has his brother to thank for his fortunate marriage, he now turns on him. "One of
the maxims which the devil, in a late visit upon earth, left to his disciples, is, when once you are got up,
to kick the stool from under you," says the narrator. Thus the captain is so rude to his brother when he
visits that he stops coming altogether. The narrator says, "He died soon after of a broken heart."
Analysis
Mr. Allworthy is the gentle target of the narrator's humor when he claims in Book 1, Chapter 10 he
preferred "men of merit" at his table and then immediately describes two men at Mr. Allworthy's table
whose merit is questionable. The doctor is unsuccessful in his profession as well as his marriage,
apparently, which is why he is drawn to Bridget. He surreptitiously introduces his brother to the
household—the fortune-hunting captain who doesn't mind marrying an ugly woman if she is rich. Thus
Mr. Allworthy is shown to be completely oblivious to the motives of these two scheming brothers, the
first instance of many in which he will exhibit a lack of discernment.
Captain Blifil's ingratitude toward his brother in Book 1, Chapter 13 is stunning, and the narrator doesn't
provide a reason for it other than to say that the devil teaches people to discard those who help them
once they are no longer needed. The novel is filled with sarcastic and witty remarks about man's
inhumanity to man and instances of the petty crimes of ingratitude, meanness, and
spitefulness. Fielding wishes to show that people are a mixed bag of goodness and imperfections, some
critics have said. Another way to view the novel is to see that its author was somewhat jaded and
perhaps cynical about human nature. Almost all the characters in the novel exhibit despicable behavior:
acts of deliberate unkindness, spitefulness, selfishness, or maliciousness. Only four characters perform
deliberately good actions: Mr. Allworthy, Tom Jones, Sophia, and Mrs. Miller. It would appear, based on
the characters in the novel, that goodness is the exception to the general rule of human behavior.

Tom Jones | Book 2, Chapters 1–5 : Containing Scenes of Matrimonial Felicity in Different
Degrees of Life; and Various Other Transactions During the First Two Years After the Marriage Between
Captain Blifil and Miss Bridget Allworthy. | Summary
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Summary
Book 2, Chapter 1
The narrator reminds the reader he is writing a history and not "a life," but he will not follow historians by
relaying details about uneventful periods of time and will instead skip to the good parts. "I am, in reality, the
founder of a new province of writing, so I am at liberty to make what laws I please therein," he says.
Book 2, Chapter 2
Bridget delivers a baby boy eight months after the wedding, "by reason of a fright." Mr. Allworthy is pleased
with his new nephew but remains loyal to the first child, named Thomas after himself. Bridget readily agrees
to bring the boys up together, although Captain Blifil quotes scripture to Mr. Allworthy supporting the idea
that bastards should not be coddled. Mr. Allworthy says that to punish an innocent child for the sins of the
parents is "indecent, if not blasphemous" and goes against "the first principles of natural justice." Meanwhile,
Mrs. Wilkins has been nosing around to uncover the name of the baby's father.
Book 2, Chapter 3
The narrator reminds the reader that Jenny Jones lived with the schoolmaster and his wife and had been
schooled for four years in Latin by Mr. Partridge. Mrs. Partridge is a jealous shrew who accused her husband
of infidelity, although later her suspicions proved not to be true.
Book 2, Chapter 4
One day at the chandler's shop where all the local gossips gather, Mrs. Partridge asks if anyone has news of
Jenny. For the first time she hears she has given birth to two bastard children, and she immediately jumps to
the conclusion that her husband is father of at least one. Mrs. Partridge reacts by violently beating her husband
until he finally restrains her.
Book 2, Chapter 5
To ingratiate herself with Captain Blifil, Mrs. Wilkins helps to spread a new rumor, that Partridge is the father
of Tom, and she repeats it to the captain, who takes the first opportunity to inform Mr. Allworthy. He responds
by sending Mrs. Wilkins to town to verify the truth of the story.
Analysis
An important theme in the novel is how appearance often masks the truth of a situation, and in these chapters
the narrator tells the reader with his verbal irony—that what is said is different from what is meant—that
Bridget consummated her relationship with the captain before they were actually married. Appearance and
reality are at odds when Mrs. Partridge assumes Jenny Jones has been sleeping with her husband. She doesn't
seem to know that the child in question is Tom—rather she is told Jenny has given birth to two children
outside the parish—but it now looks suspicious to her that Jenny has left town, and her mind jumps to her
earlier jealousy concerning Jenny. Captain Blifil appears to object to Mr. Allworthy's coddling of Tom on
religious grounds since he was born in sin, but in fact he is envious of Tom Jones's place in the family now that
he has a son he reckons should be the heir of Mr. Allworthy's property.
Tom's precarious position is evident from the beginning of his life, and his only protector is Mr. Allworthy.
Even though he is her son Bridget cannot protect him without looking suspicious. Meanwhile, Tom is assailed
on the one hand by Captain Blifil, who is trying to push him aside, and on the other by Mrs. Wilkins, who tries
to ingratiate herself with the captain in Book 2, Chapter 5, whom she imagines will eventually be the master of
Paradise Hall. Mr. Allworthy shows his Christian mercy and compassion, however, when he faults the captain
on his views and stands firm in his decision to foster Tom.
Book 2, Chapter 6
Mrs. Wilkins returns and confirms the story that Partridge is Tom's father, but Mr. Allworthy sends for the
"criminal" to examine him personally. Both Partridges attend the meeting, and Anne Partridge says her
husband has confessed his guilt. Partridge pleads innocence, saying he made the false confession to get his
wife to stop nagging him. Mrs. Partridge baldly lies, saying she found Jenny and her husband in bed together.
Mr. Allworthy tries to find Jenny to testify, but she has left the place where she was living with an officer. Mr.
Allworthy then rules that Partridge is guilty and takes away his annuity. Depressed, Partridge stops working
and loses his school. His wife dies soon after, and a destitute Partridge leaves that part of the country.
Book 2, Chapter 7
Captain Blifil does not achieve his end of turning Mr. Allworthy against Tom, of whom Mr. Allworthy grows
fonder every day. The captain begins to treat his wife with disdain, and she begins to hate him in return. The
captain continues, however, to hide his worst side from Mr. Allworthy.
Book 2, Chapter 8
Captain Blifil spends a lot of time thinking about how he will remodel the grounds of the estate once Mr.
Allworthy dies. However, his plan is foiled when he dies suddenly of apoplexy (a heart attack).
Book 2, Chapter 9
The inhabitants of the estate miss the captain at supper, and soon one of the servants finds him dead. Mrs.
Blifil continues for about a month with "the decorations of sickness" and acts the part of the bereaved widow
for a decent time afterward.
Analysis
In these chapters Mr. Allworthy does not see what is clearly in front of his nose. When he calls the Partridges
before him in Book 2, Chapter 6 the testimony of husband and wife are at odds, and he bases his decision on
the testimony of Partridge's wife, hearsay evidence, and gossip spread by Mrs. Wilkins. The narrator stops to
call to the reader's attention the "wisdom and sagacity of our law, which refuses to admit the evidence of a
wife for or against her husband." Mrs. Partridge has already lied repeatedly around town about Partridge
beating her, and now she lies to Mr. Allworthy about finding her husband in bed with Jenny. As a magistrate
Mr. Allworthy should know better, especially given Mrs. Partridge's bad character. But he likely doesn't know
about her bad character because he seems blissfully unaware of the goings-on in the parish. In fact at the
beginning of Book 2, Chapter 6 the narrator says he was unaware of the story going around about Partridge
and, in any case, was slow to "believe anything to [anyone's] disadvantage." Nonetheless, he believes
Partridge's wife, and his unjust punishment creates long-term consequences for the schoolmaster.
Similarly, he doesn't see the bad character of Captain Blifil: "It is possible ... that Mr. Allworthy saw enough to
render him a little uneasy; for we are not always to conclude, that a wise man is not hurt, because he doth
not cry out and lament himself." The narrator finishes his musing in Book 2, Chapter 7 by noting that even the
best of men have faults. He then compares people to fine China: even if a piece has a flaw, "the pattern may
remain of the highest value." Such is the case with Mr. Allworthy.

Themes
From Innocence to Experience

Moving from innocence to experience is perhaps the most important theme in the novel. Tom Jones is
an innocent who, because of his naiveté and inability to see the forces that are working against him,
ends up being thrown out by his benefactor and the only father he knows. His carelessness and lack of
prudence lead him to a crisis: he would have done well to learn appearances do matter. Even for a good
person who has the best of intentions it is necessary to also appear good to others. Tom's honesty is a
great virtue, but at the same time he needs to learn that sometimes it is necessary to withhold
information to protect oneself. Moreover, Tom is unaware of other people's power to do him harm.

According to the critic Martin C. Battestin, Tom Jones lacks prudence, which in the classical sense means
moral vision and self-discipline. While he loves Sophia and knows she is different from the other women
he associates himself with, he is too much the slave of his passions to act on that knowledge. Moreover,
Tom's generous heart and good nature get him into trouble with women because he just can't say "no."
After Tom leaves home he is more and more victimized by his own faults and refusal to change. At the
end of the novel, however, he admits his own culpability. In jail his first instinct is to rail at fortune, but
then he says, "Why do I blame Fortune? I am myself the cause of all my misery." He begins to develop
some discretion and self-control and even turns down three women—Mrs. Hunt, Mrs. Waters, and Mrs.
Fitzpatrick. By learning from his experiences Tom is able to gain some degree of prudence and wisdom.

Dogma versus Virtue

While laws and religious rules may be necessary and good, they do not guarantee a person will act with
true virtue. The Rev. Thwackum claims to be giving principles of Christianity to Tom and Blifil, yet he
lacks the basic Christian virtues of humility, love, compassion, mercy, and forgiveness. He hates Tom and
physically punishes him without mercy, at times beating him to the point of torture, the narrator says.
Thwackum whips Tom, for example, when he refuses to reveal the other poacher on Squire Western's
land. Thwackum favors Blifil because he can recite doctrine by heart and often repeats his teacher's
words and phrases. Tom, however, is "deficient in outward tokens of respect, often forgetting to pull off
his hat, or to bow at his master's approach" and does not remember Thwackum's precepts. Thwackum
worships the outer appearance of piety and thinks Tom Jones is bad because he lacks the imitated
solemnity exhibited by Blifil.

Thwackum is incapable of seeing the true goodness in his wayward pupil—so clearly evident in his
loyalty toward Black George and his attempts to help him feed his family. When Mr. Allworthy counsels
compassion for Tom, who was acting out of honor in concealing the name of his accomplice, Thwackum
calls Tom a liar. Thwackum shows himself to be a hypocrite without real goodness over and over again
and is a foil for Mr. Allworthy's true Christian virtue. Mr. Allworthy's behavior is guided by the principles
of love and compassion, while Thwackum's is guided by the belief that the world is "a sink of iniquity"
and that a man will suffer hellfire and damnation if he does not follow the dogma of the Church of
England. Thus his actions are not based on benevolent feelings for fellow creatures but on fear of God
and Church. He is incapable of acting out of goodness.

Appearance versus Reality

A strong thread through the novel is how appearances often mask reality and that well-practiced
hypocrisy can be used to mask the truth. Bridget and Mrs. Wilkins complain that Mr. Allworthy is taking
in a bastard child, who is accused of being bad simply because of his origin, which he had no control
over. Meanwhile, Bridget is the mother of this child, and she successfully conceals this fact until the day
she dies. Thwackum masquerades as a Christian, yet he exhibits not one Christian virtue. Blifil pretends
to be the dutiful, obedient, and virtuous nephew, yet he continually plots his brother's downfall and lies
by omission to put the worst light on Tom's actions. Square pretends to be a Platonic philosopher, but
his ideas are often nonsensical—and he has built a dogma around his ideas of "the rule of right" and the
"eternal fitness of things." He pretends to be above the fray of ordinary mortals' concerns and often
comments on the immoral action of Tom, yet he is having illicit sex with Molly and sees no harm in it
since, in his mind, Tom has already ruined her. Mr. Allworthy continually fails to see people's true
motivations, and so he winds up getting the most important things wrong—the worst being that he
disowns his beloved adopted son, Tom Jones, because he pays attention to appearances and cannot see
beneath other people's lies and hypocrisy.

Love and Desire

Sexual desire is natural, but when it is divorced from love sex reduces people to the level of animals
satisfying their instinctual appetites. Love, on the other hand, is a noble emotion. When sexual desire is
combined with regard and admiration for another, the physical act moves to a higher level, taking on
the color of the divine. Such a love between two people is a creative act, not just in the sense of
resulting in new life (conceiving a baby) but in the fact that they bring out each other's best qualities and
facilitate their ability to fully manifest themselves in the material world.

For an 18th-century person sex outside marriage was immoral and exemplified a lack of commitment.
And while Fielding subscribes to these views to some degree, he has an easygoing attitude toward sex
outside of marriage and even acknowledges women might have as strong a sexual desire as men.
Nonetheless, he demonstrates how illicit sex (not "legally" sanctioned by the law or religion) is a
destructive force and leads to social chaos. Tom Jones's sexual adventures get him into more and more
serious scrapes until he winds up in jail and in danger of losing not only Sophia but also his life.

Quotes

1.It is much easier to make good men wise, than to make bad men good. 

Narrator, Dedication
Henry Fielding addresses his benefactor, George Lyttleton, in the dedication, and declares his purpose in
writing the novel. This statement encapsulates the moral of the story, which is that good men can learn
to be wise—i.e., learn from experience—while truly immoral men can never learn to be good.
2.  For I hope my friends will pardon me when I declare, I know none of them without a fault; and I should
be sorry if I could imagine I had any friend who could not see mine. 

Narrator, Book 2, Chapter 7
Before the narrator makes this comment he says Mr. Allworthy glossed over the faults of Captain Blifil
because he (Mr. Allworthy) is a person of wisdom who takes people as they come and doesn't expect
them to be perfect. But this comment that follows delivers a double dose of verbal irony: Mr. Allworthy
is both unwise and fails to see the evil in others. When the narrator says he hopes his friends will pardon
his faults, he is thinking of Mr. Allworthy's faults, namely his blindness to other people's shortcomings.
Since Mr. Allworthy is a good man he hopes we will forgive him.
3.Both religion and virtue have received more real discredit from hypocrites than the wittiest profligates
or infidels could ever cast upon them. 

Narrator, Book 3, Chapter 4
The narrator addresses readers. Previously he has told them that his purpose, in making fun of
Thwackum and Squire, is not to disparage true religion and philosophy. Rather the hypocrites who
pretend to represent venerable human institutions are more likely to give virtue and religion a bad
name than are people of bad character.
4.No man can be good enough to enable him to neglect the rules of prudence; nor will Virtue herself look
beautiful, unless she be bedecked with the outward ornaments of decency and decorum. 

Narrator, Book 3, Chapter 7
The narrator refers to Tom Jones, who is sinking in Mr. Allworthy's estimation, partly because Allworthy
consciously begins to favor Blifil since his mother dislikes him and partly because Tom has been getting
into scrapes that put him in a bad light. Thus, although Tom is a good person, he must appear to be a
good person by following the rules of society.
5.I am convinced, my child, that you have much goodness, generosity, and honour, in your temper: if you
will add prudence and religion to these, you must be happy. 

Mr. Allworthy, Book 5, Chapter 7

Mr. Allworthy thinks he may be dying when he says this to Tom, and for that reason he wants to leave
him with some words he will remember. He reminds Tom he is a good person with three important
virtues. However, to grow into a responsible man and lead a happy life he must apply religious precepts
to his actions and learn prudence, which is the application of wisdom. Tom knows what is right—but
there is a gap between what he knows and what he does.
6.There is in some (I believe in many) human breasts a kind and benevolent disposition, which is gratified
by contributing to the happiness of others. 

Narrator, Book 6, Chapter 1
The narrator discourses about love and makes the distinction between love and sexual desire. Further
he notes that some people are made happy by loving others from an altruistic and disinterested distance
and take pleasure in doing good for them. For these people altruism is its own reward.
7.  Philosophy elevates and steels the mind, Christianity softens and sweetens it. The former makes us the
objects of human admiration, the latter of Divine love. 

The Man of the Hill, Book 8, Chapter 13

The Man of the Hill values both Christianity and philosophy, and he has been reading the Greek
philosophers, whom he says elevate the mind. But he makes the point that Christian texts are much
superior. While philosophy strengthens the mind, Christianity softens it so that it can be receptive to
love. Moreover, people admire a philosopher but God loves a Christian.
8.What is the reason, my dear, that we, who have understandings equal to the wisest and greatest of
the other sex, so often make choice of the silliest fellows for companions and favourites? 

Mrs. Fitzpatrick, Book 11, Chapter 4

Mrs. Fitzpatrick explains to Sophia how she fell in love with the rogue Fitzpatrick and wound up eloping
with him. She now rues the day she ever succumbed to his charms. She is an intelligent woman and
believes other women are equally intelligent and the equal of men; so why is it that women so often
make such bad choices in the men they align themselves with? She doesn't have an answer to this
question.
9.  Your religion ... serves you only for an excuse for your faults, but is no incentive to your virtue. Can any
man who is really a Christian abstain from relieving one of his brethren in such a miserable condition? 

Tom Jones, Book 12, Chapter 4

Tom Jones criticized Mr. Partridge because Partridge often criticizes Tom for giving people money. Tom
shows compassion for the beggar who approaches him for money, and as it turns out he gives Tom
Sophia's pocketbook. Tom wants to know what good Partridge's religion is if he uses it entirely to make
excuses for himself (since Christianity teaches men are sinful) and not to teach him more compassion for
others.
10.I had rather enjoy my own mind than the fortune of another man. 

Tom Jones, Book 12, Chapter 10

Tom says this to Mr. Dowling, when they discuss Blifil and he tells him Blifil is a scoundrel. Blifil might
think Tom covets Mr. Allworthy's fortune, but this is not the case. He doesn't believe Mr. Allworthy
owes him anything, and he would much rather enjoy his own company, poor as he is, than wealth that
does not belong to him.
11.  My love is not of that base kind which seeks its own satisfaction at the expense of what is most dear
to its object. I would sacrifice everything to the possession of my Sophia, but Sophia herself. 

Tom Jones, Book 13, Chapter 7

Tom talks to Lady Bellaston at the masquerade, although he doesn't know who she is. She accuses him
of wanting to enter into an affair with Sophia and ruin her. He shows Bellaston through this remark that
he truly loves Sophia. While he desires her and would do anything to have her, he would do nothing to
hurt her, even if it means he has to lose her.
12.  Upon my honour, madam ... your ladyship injures me. I will never run away with any man; nor will I
ever marry contrary to my father's inclinations. 

Sophia, Book 15, Chapter 4

Sophia addresses Lady Bellaston, who accuses her of wanting to run off with Tom. It is difficult for
Bellaston to understand the motives of either Sophia or Tom because she operates in a much lower
moral realm. Sophia's allegiance to her own honor and to her father are motivations that do not figure
strongly (if at all) in Lady Bellaston's life.
13.  Do you fancy yourself capable of so entirely persuading me out of my senses, that I should deliver my
whole fortune into your power, in order to enable you to support your pleasure at my expense? 

Lady Bellaston, Book 15, Chapter 9

When Bellaston gets the marriage proposal from Tom, it works exactly as Nightingale predicted—she is
disgusted by it and turns him down. She assumes he is a fortune hunter who thinks he will enrich
himself with her fortune and then take advantage of her by pursuing his own pleasure. Because she is
selfish she thinks everyone is like her. Moreover, she is an independent woman and knows that if she
marries a man she gives up her freedom, and she is hardly ready to do that—even for Tom. She is
disdainful of marriage and considers it to be a bondage.
14.  'Surely,' says that fat a—se b—, my Lady Bellaston, 'cousin, you must be out of your wits to think of
refusing such an offer.' 

Squire Western, Book 17, Chapter 3

Squire Western has some of the funniest lines. He speaks in dialect, he curses a lot, and he often makes
nasty comments about the ladies. He is not good with women and is best out in the woods hunting. He
is a comic character and complains when he feels bossed around by women. In this quote he insults
Lady Bellaston and calls her vulgar names.
15.Love ... is the child of love only; ... to love the creature who we are assured hates us is not in human
nature. 

Mr. Allworthy, Book 17, Chapter 3

Mr. Allworthy does not understand why Blifil continues to pursue Sophia because he can't imagine the
dark motives of his nephew—to get her fortune, first, and to torment her because she prefers Tom. He
has some inkling, however, and admonishes him to look into his heart to discern his motives. He tells
Blifil it is not normal to love someone who clearly hates and despises you—such a sentiment goes
against nature.

Tom Jones
Tom Jones is the headstrong and handsome romantic hero in this story of a bastard and foundling's
progress through the world. He begins life as nobody's child and is informally adopted by an exemplary
Christian and philanthropist. He has a wild streak but is generous, brave, and strong, with a heart of gold
and compassion for the poor. His fatal flaw is that he lacks good judgment, evidenced by the fact that
when a woman invites him for a tryst he cannot refuse. He is in love with the fair Sophia, but he must
learn many lessons, most especially the lesson of caution, before she accepts his marriage proposal at
the end of the novel.
Sophia
Sophia Western is the heroine of the novel. She is an exemplary female—obedient to her father but at
the same time prudent enough to not imitate his bad behavior. She is beautiful both inside and out, and
she has a mature understanding of other people's character, even though she is a young person. She
loves Tom Jones but will not marry him without her father's consent. At the same time she knows that
Blifil is bad and refuses to marry him, running away from home to avoid this fate. Thus she proves to
have both discernment and a strong will and shapes her own course, despite the restrictions put on her
as a female.
Mr. Allworthy
Mr. Thomas Allworthy is the ideal Christian in the novel. He is a landowner, gentleman, and magistrate
by virtue of his social position and is often called upon to settle disputes and decide people's fates under
the law. For the most part he is merciful and judicious. His charity is well known, and he has been the
benefactor of many. His fatal flaw is that he takes people at face value and doesn't see their trickery and
lies. This causes him to inadvertently make unjust decisions that seriously affect the lives of a few
hapless victims. However, he is able to correct these mistakes by the end of the novel.
Mr. Blifil
Mr. Blifil is the chief villain of the novel. He is the son of Bridget Allworthy and Captain Blifil, and from
childhood he displays unpleasant traits to the point where he is disliked by his own mother. He is a
hypocrite and a liar who makes his way in the world by pretending to be a good Christian. He hates Tom
Jones, although he keeps this fact hidden even from his brother, who loves him. Thus he spends a great
deal of time secretly undermining Tom and turning people against him—especially his uncle, Mr.
Allworthy. Blifil is also greedy, which is why he wants to marry Sophia—so that he can get Squire
Western's property.
Squire Western
Squire Western is a comic figure and a foil for Mr. Allworthy. He also is landed gentry and has
responsibilities as a magistrate, although he often allows himself to be ruled by Mr. Allworthy. He loves
two things in life: Sophia and hunting, but maybe not in that order. Even so he treats his daughter as
chattel, insisting she must marry Mr. Blifil even though she has a strong aversion to him. Squire Western
dislikes women (except for his daughter) and continuously fights with his sister. He is also a drunkard
and is foul-mouthed, often cursing women.
Mrs. Western
Mrs. Western is the rich, single sister of Squire Western. She has never married but has seen something
of the world and even court life. However, she has not learned much from her experience and
overestimates her ability to read people and understand social situations. She is exceedingly vain about
everything concerning herself, including her appearance, and she is vindictive when crossed. Mrs.
Western has had a hand in the rearing of Sophia, and she now insists her niece must marry for money.