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The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling
Dickens' Favourite 18th C Novels
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The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding - Group Read (hosted by Debra and Angela)
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Debra Diggs
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Sep 18, 2021 07:14AM
Welcome aboard, JenniferAustin. We have just barely started, so it should be easy to catch up.
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Well, I am finding this slow going. The language & the cadence of the writing has been difficult. I have just finished book 1 and I started on WED!!! Of course the print is pretty small too, which doesn't help. On page 3 the narrator states ..we shall represent human nature at first to the keen appetite of our reader, in the more plain & simple manner in which it is found in the country, and shall hereafter hash and ragoo it with all the high French and Italian seasoning of affectation and vice which courts and cities afford. Well I am more than ready for the spice!!
Does the author not believe in the love & the institution of marriage? It hath been observed, by wise men or women, I forget which, that all persons are doomed to be in love once in their lives.
I did enjoy this chapter with the description of what one is attracted to at different times of our lives. Hold true today also, I'm afraid.
Mr. Allworthy as noted by others is true to his name and both baby Tom, Jenny Jones, Bridget & his household are lucky that he is in their lives.
Mod
Chris, I understand slow going. So far, the flow in Tom Jones is not always great. It is the main reason I don't usually read books published way back when. Book 2 moved along better for me. But, still waiting for the spice. Love the quote you included "It hath been observed, by wise men or women, I forget which, that all persons are doomed to be in love once in their lives." It does indeed, make you wonder about the author's feeling towards marriage.
Great comments Chris. Things to wonder about as I read further.I just finished Chapter 3 of Book 2. Love this line "But it is with jealousy as it is with Gout". Ha! I've never heard jealousy compared to gout before. Struck me as very funny.
As did Mrs. Patridge's eruption at the dinner table, chasing Jenny out the door and how Mr. Patridge is petrified "he sat staring and trembling in his Chair" I've heard of hen-pecked men before, but poor Mr. Patridge takes that meaning to a whole new level.
Oh yes, Bridget. Poor Mr. Partridge.
I started today and sailed through Book One. I am somehow attuned to this kind of writing, I suppose, because it does flow for me. What I love the most is his dry wit, always the barb beneath the surface. I rarely love the breaking of the fourth wall, but it works well in this--perhaps because he starts out that way and continues with it pretty much throughout instead of its seeming a sudden intrusion. I did laugh when the baby was found and Mrs. Deborah suggested they bundle it up and put it on the church step "it is a good night, only a little rainy and windy; and if it was well wrapt up, and put in a warm basket, it is two to one but it lives till it is found in the morning." Geez.
When I read Mrs. Deborah's suggestion for the baby, I thought what?. She cannot seriously be suggesting this. But she was!
I started listening to the book a week or so ago, having an Audible credit and having read it before. It really is fun to listen to--the reader does different voices and accents, which is a great way to really get into the story. I think so many of these early novels lend themselves to audio because I think that's how many of them were experienced when they were written.In addition to the idea that Dickens, especially in his early works, adopted some of Fielding's style with regards to the very present narrator, the summary and often funny chapter titles, but also in the wonderful character names. Squire Allworthy is a breath away from being a Pilgrim's Progress character, but my personal favorite name is Mr. Thwakum, which reminds me of the Dotheboys Hall in Nicholas Nickleby, and (weirdly) Dewey Cheatem and Howe from Car Talk, et al.
Jane, nice info on audio edition, if anyone wants to try that. I have yet to come across Mr. Thwakum, but I sure do like the name. Although it is not a teacher I would want to have. Yikes.
Bionic Jean wrote: "Can you read it on kindle Chris? There's a free one there, and you can enlarge it how you like. I usually do this :)"I am SO last century and don't do any reading other than mail & such electronically. Nor do I listen to books. I like the feel of a book in my hands. I know I will have to go to an e-reader at some point as I move into my elder years and aging eyes.
For what it is worth, Chris, I thought I would not like an e-reader when I first got it, but I have come to value it over the years. I still love the feel of a "real" book, but my eyes are always grateful when I do the e-reader instead.
I’m late to start this book and have just finished chapter one. Never has an introduction to a book made me both laugh and feel hungry all at the same time. Personally I’m loving the language and humor at the start… though that’s only 3 pages, with 800+ to go.
Jane wrote: "I started listening to the book a week or so ago, having an Audible credit and having read it before. It really is fun to listen to--the reader does different voices and accents, which is a great w..."I'm not listening the book, but I think that would be a real treat to have different voices and accents for all the characters. This book is perfect for that kind of theatrics.
Book 3 Chapters BOOK III — CONTAINING THE MOST MEMORABLE TRANSACTIONS WHICH PASSED IN THE FAMILY OF MR ALLWORTHY, FROM THE TIME WHEN TOMMY JONES ARRIVED AT THE AGE OF FOURTEEN, TILL HE ATTAINED THE AGE OF NINETEEN. IN THIS BOOK THE READER MAY PICK UP SOME HINTS CONCERNING THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN.
Chapter i — Containing little or nothing.
Chapter ii — The heroe of this great history appears with very bad omens. A little tale of so LOW a kind that some may think it not worth their notice. A word or two concerning a squire, and more relating to a gamekeeper and a schoolmaster.
Chapter iii — The character of Mr Square the philosopher, and of Mr Thwackum the divine; with a dispute concerning __
Chapter iv. Containing a necessary apology for the author; and a childish incident, which perhaps requires an apology likewise__
Chapter v. — The opinions of the divine and the philosopher concerning the two boys; with some reasons for their opinions, and other matters.
Chapter vi — Containing a better reason still for the before-mentioned opinions.
Chapter vii — In which the author himself makes his appearance on the stage.
Chapter viii — A childish incident, in which, however, is seen a good-natured disposition in Tom Jones.
Chapter ix — Containing an incident of a more heinous kind, with the comments of Thwackum and Square.
Chapter x — In which Master Blifil and Jones appear in different lights.
Cast of Characters in Book 3 Master Blifil. Now a teenager.
Tom Jones. Now a teenager.
Mr. Allsworthy. Acts as father to Tom.
Mrs Wilkins. Servant of Mrs. Blifil. (Mentioned briefly.)
Black George. Gamekeeper to Mr. Allsworthy.
Black George's wife and children. Unnamed.
Squire Western. Neighbor.
Mr. Thwackum (reverend) Teacher to Tom Jones and Master Blifil.
Mr. Square. Teacher to Tom Jones and Master Blifil.
Mrs. Bridget Blifil. Mother to Master Blifil.
Mr. Western's daughter. As yet unnamed.
Book 3 Summary Tom Jones is now a kind hearted, adventurous teenager. But, Master Blifil has grown into a sneaky, deceitful, little brat.
Tom, now a teenager, gets into trouble shooting a partridge on his neighbor's land. Thwackum (who is absolutely terrible to Tom throughout this chapter) beats Tom trying to get the name his accomplice. But Tom will not give up the name. However, Master Blifil more than willingly gives up the name, Black George, the gamekeeper. Black is fired.
Thwaksum and Square are both courting Mrs. Blifil (looking at the money). And they both think they will win her over by favoring her son over Tom. They are mistaken. Turns out Mrs. Blifil greatly dislikes her son, because of her hatred for his father, but she cares greatly about Tom. (It seems strange to me that Mrs. Blifil cares so much about Tom.) Also, Mrs. Blifil enjoys the attention of Twackum and Square but has no intention of marrying either one.
Tom sells things, including his treasured horse, to help out Black George and his family, who are now poor and starving. Allsworthy finds out about it and is about to help Black George out, but Master Blifil steps in tells Allsworthy an incident involving Black and the theft of rabbits (but it was only one rabbit). So Allsworthy changes his mind and will not help out after all. Tom tries to get Black hired at the neighbors, Mr. Western, and seeks the help of the daughter.
Mod
Wackford Squeers of "Dotheboys Hall",
Mr Creakle of "Salem House",
Mr McChoakumchild of Thomas Gradgrind's school,
or indeed any of the other sadistic headmasters Charles Dickens created.
Together with Charles Dickens's own experience at "Bowes Academy" (as we discussed in another thread,) his love for this book by Henry Fielding resulted in all these unforgettable characters.
That's one of the reason we are reading this novel as an extension read in "Dickensians!", after all :)
Mod
It is so hard for me to see humor in books, whether they are from way back or newer. But, I did smile at this bit in Book 1:"I saw two farmers' daughters at church, the other day, with bare necks. I protest they shocked me."
I thought, oh my, bare necks!
Mod
If Thwackum where alive today, he would be in jail. And there would be a lawsuit against him. Sometimes I find characters to be too awful. I hope we don't have to read a lot about about the horrors of Thwackum.
Mod
Thanks, Jean. I recently finished The Old Curiosity Shop and there was a character in there who was so awful, I almost quit reading the book. (view spoiler)
Finally finished Book Three last night. I have the same feelings about Thwackum and Square (love those names though!). It was a bit tedious to follow their debate between Virtue and Honor. But eventually I found it similar to the debate between Nature vs. Nuture (though maybe I'm miss reading that). It struck me when I read this line Square held human Nature to be the Perfection of all Virtue and that Vice was a deviation from our Nature.....Thwackum on the contrary maintained that the human mind, since the Fall, was nothing but a sink of iniquity, till purified...by Grace. I guess maybe they both believe man's Nature is such that he is born one way (either bad or good) and then through Nurture becomes something else (again either bad or good).
Also, did I read correctly that Mrs. Blifil not only prefers Tom to her own son, but is maybe falling for him romantically? I thought it was mentioned that Tom was becoming a rival to Thwackum and Square for her affection. Or was he just rivalling for her attention?
Mod
Bridget wrote: "Finally finished Book Three last night. I have the same feelings about Thwackum and Square (love those names though!). It was a bit tedious to follow their debate between Virtue and Honor. But ev..."
I have not cared for any of the debates or discussions between Thwackum and Square. It is just a muddled mess to me.
Yes, Mrs. Blifil likes Tom better than her own son. Because she hated her husband, she now hates her son. It is really quite terrible.
And, yes, Tom is now a rival to Thwackum and Square, at least in Thwackum and Squares minds. And rumor is that Mrs. Blifil is too affectionate towards Tom.
Bionic Jean wrote: "I think Tom is a very engaging fellow all round :)"Yes, I agree Jean. And I am glad, but it is not what I expected. In fact, nothing in this book is turning out how I thought it would be.
I will be posting info on Book 4 late tonight or early tomorrow.
Thanks Debra, its good to know I'm on the right track :-)
Mod
Jean, I am enjoying it. Some parts much, much more than other other parts.It is interesting to read a story that Dickens liked. I look forward to reading more.
Mod
I just got to book four and I'm personally really enjoying this one. It is equally frustrating and delightful at the same time. It has also gotten me to legitimately laugh out loud. At times the long winded nature of the narrative is frustrating to me, but when a joke works I actually find that the narrative helps it, as it's so overly done that the abruptness of the comedy makes it work.
Well said, Tim.
Book 4 Chapters BOOK IV — CONTAINING THE TIME OF A YEAR.
Chapter i — Containing five pages of paper.
Chapter ii — A short hint of what we can do in the sublime, and a description of Miss Sophia Western.
Chapter iii — Wherein the history goes back to commemorate a trifling incident that happened some years since; but which, trifling as it was, had some future consequences.
Chapter iv — Containing such very deep and grave matters, that some readers, perhaps, may not relish it.
Chapter v — Containing matter accommodated to every taste.
Chapter vi — An apology for the insensibility of Mr Jones to all the charms of the lovely Sophia; in which possibly we may, in a considerable degree, lower his character in the estimation of those men of wit and gallantry who approve the heroes in most of our modern comedies.
Chapter vii — Being the shortest chapter in this book.
Chapter viii — A battle sung by the muse in the Homerican style, and which none but the classical reader can taste.
Chapter ix — Containing matter of no very peaceable colour.
Chapter x — A story told by Mr Supple, the curate. The penetration of Squire Western. His great love for his daughter, and the return to it made by her.
Chapter xi — The narrow escape of Molly Seagrim, with some observations for which we have been forced to dive pretty deep into nature.
Chapter xii — Containing much clearer matters; but which flowed from the same fountain with those in the preceding chapter.
Chapter xiii — A dreadful accident which befel Sophia. The gallant behaviour of Jones, and the more dreadful consequence of that behaviour to the young lady; with a short digression in favour of the female sex.
Chapter xiv — The arrival of a surgeon.—His operations, and a long dialogue between Sophia and her maid.
Characters used in Book 4 Miss Sophia Western. The heroine. Only daughter of Mr Western.
Sophia's aunt. Mentioned in passing. I don't know if she will have more of a roll later or not.
Tom Jones.
George Seagrim aka The Gamekeeper aka Black George.
Molly Seagrim. Black George's daughter.
Mr. Allsworthy.
Mr. Western.
Master Blifil.
Thwackum.
Square.
Widow Blifil.
People from the church fight. Bess, Jemmy Tweedle, Stour, old Echepole, the sowgelder, Kate of the Mill, Betty Pippin, with young Roger, Tom Freckle, the smith's son, Miss Crow, the daughter of a farmer; John Giddish, himself a farmer; Nan Slouch, Esther Codling, Will Spray, Tom Bennet; the three Misses Potter, whose father keeps the sign of the Red Lion; Betty Chambermaid, Jack Ostler, and many others of inferior note, lay rolling among the graves, and Goody Brown, Zekiel Brown, Joan Top.
Mr Supple, the curate.
Mrs Honour. Sophia's maid.
Book 4 Summary The story takes us back to a time when Sophia, Tom and Blifil where playmates. Tom had given Sophia a bird that she dearly loved. Blifil "set the bird free". But it really seemed like he was being malicious. Tom goes to great lengths to retrieve the bird but fails. This begins Sophia's love for Tom and her hatred for Blifil.
Present day, Tom is in love with Molly. Who is pregnant with Tom's child.
Molly dresses up in a pretty dress from Sophia and goes to church. The people are envious of her and when church lets out, they throw dirt and rubbish at Molly. Molly is a scrappy fighter and picks up bones from a graveyard to fight with. Tom comes on the scene, whips the church people back and rescues Molly. (Oh my!) (Also, I am beginning to think this author really does not like church/reverend/religion. He portrays them in such a bad way.)
Sophia is heartbroken over the news of Molly's pregnancy. Meanwhile, Molly is about to be sent to jail. But Tom steps in and convinces Allsworthy to send her home instead. Thwackum tells Allsworthy that Tom used Black George to get to Molly. And successfully plants a bad seed about it in Allsworthy's mind.
Sometime later, Sophia's horse throws her. Tom saves her, breaking his arm in the process. And he stays at the Western's house to recover. Tom is finally beginning to realize that he loves Sophia. Mrs. Honour tells Sophia that she saw Tom kissing Sophia's muff. (I wonder if the author chose this particular clothing item on purpose.) And Sophia is seeing that Tom loves her.
Mod
Thanks for all this, Debra :)
Mod
Just starting Book 4. I'm a little slow because I'm reading Little Dorrit at the same time. And, well, there's my regular life that crops up and demands attention, so I must put all the books down - though I never want to :-)
I am on book nine but taking a little break so that I am not so far ahead of the pack that I can't participate without giving spoilers.I mentioned in a previous post about how Squire Allworthy's name reminds me of Pilgrim's Progress. I've been thinking more about that and it seems that Tom Jones is very much like Pilgrim's Progress in the many temptations and setbacks and issues that Tom deals with, but unlike Christian, Tom gives in to temptation left and right!
Mod
I will be posting Book 5 info tomorrow. I have yet to read it. I know what you mean, Bridget, about stopping to deal with your regular life. Jane, it is looking like Tom is a little on the wild side. But maybe the fun, wild side.
Mod
Reading Little Dorrit at the same time as this is helping me to see where Dickens might have been influenced by Fielding, particularly with regard to satire. It’s a good combination, I think.
Mod
I started and then this one got away from me. I hope I can get back to it as I'm in the Little Dorrit buddy read as well. Good job Bridget and Fiona for keeping both of these reads up!! I was really intrigued by Jane's comment comparing this and Tom to Christian in Pilgrim's Progress. I had Pilgrim's Progress on my list for Sept but haven't started it yet. Now I'm so curious reading all of these comments and the ones about the satire are nudging me. I hope I can figure this out and get all of these reads plus my other October planned reads accomplished!
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