Examine Tom Jones as a social document of the 18th century.

Examine Tom Jones as a social document of the 18th century.

Henry Fielding’s Tom Jones is a lively novel. It’s a life long experience of a character related integrally with that of its writer and shared wonderfully with its readers. Henry Fielding, the author of Tom Jones happens to be one amongst those great writers who did not draw their stories from classical and Christian mythology, epics, history, Bible etc. They took stories from the incidents which were quite commonly occurring in that age. This is indeed the first criteria for a writer to be realistic with the society in order present in his writings what he has witnessed. The best example of such type of writing is Tom Jones. The realism of this novel does not reflect life and manners of aristocracy, but its prime focus is upon middle class society. The majority of characters in Tom Jones including the Hero Tom belong to the middle class family. Tom Jones show us not only the pious side of the middle class, but it also exposes corruption amongst them and their attitude towards other classes in the society. On the one hand, Tom Jones bestows them with virtues like courage, generosity and benevolence. While on the other hand, it points out vices in form of maligning, hypocrisy and injustice. No doubt these all traits existed in the English society at the time when this novel was written. But, hardly anyone before Fielding dared to present them as vividly as he did. It is because of this brilliant mode of expression that William Hazlitt said:

“To read Tom Jones is like going out into the world shedding prejudices, social awkwardness. It is a balanced experience, one that gives us insight into the human nature, tolerance of its weaknesses and large platitude of its strength.”

                                                                                   (William Hazlitt)

                       

                        Tom Jones presents society as it was. It does not exaggerate in any angle of literary possibility of exaggeration. If a character has more virtuous characteristics, it reflects him in the form of elderly gentlemen Squire Allworthy. If a character in society is more vicious, Tom Jones presents him in the shape of Blifil. If a reckless and selfless youngster roams in the society doing favours to people, Tom Jones makes him its Protagonist..........................................................................

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Milan Tomic

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