TOM JONES AS An ANTI HERO

TOM JONES AS An ANTI HERO

It was Walter Allen who once remarked that   “Tom Jones was a new type of hero; one might say the unheroic hero”.  Other critics also bear testimony to this statement. Indeed, Fielding’s concept of hero was radically different. A hero, according to Fielding, may not essentially be physically brave or ideal, but he should have good intentions .The heroes in the past had been brave, heroic and extra-ordinary. Fielding derives away from this tradition and chooses the common men as heroes of his novels and portrays them with all their weaknesses, sexual immorality, falsehood etc. Tom Jones is accordingly, a type of hero who stands from common human nature. He is an altogether divergent human being with all human virtues and weaknesses occupying a hero’s place in the novel.”Tom Jones, in a way, is a typical symbol, symbolizing the common virtues, and weakness of everyday life” (Elizabeth Zenkins).in short, he is, as Allen says,” a depiction of ordinary, weak man.”

                                                    We should dwell upon the good and bad aspects of his character to justify that he is a hero, but does not possess only heroic qualities; he has his short comings too, which render him an anti – hero . Tom Jones has been endowed with a handsome and attractive personality. He is tall, robust and able – bodied. It is on account of his personality that he enkindles an amorous sparkle in the hearts of those ladies who happen to come into his contact. He is good swimmer, a fearless rider and a strong boxer.

                                                      Tom in spite of lack of prudence and circumspection, and in spite of some contraventions of the moral code, is essentially a good man. Though he did always act rightly, yet he never did otherwise without feeling and suffering for it. Thus the poor boy is incited to sell the little horse which Mr. Allworthy had given him so as to prevent the family of a dismissed servant from starving. He is prompted to risk his neck in recovering Sophia’s pet-bird which Blifill had maliciously allowed to escape. And if as a youngman he is also prompted to fornication with the gamekeeper’s daughter, he is prepared to deal honourably with her until he discovers her illicit relation with square. His spontaneous natural actions are always generous. Allworthy  thus summarizes in Book V, chapter VII what Fielding wishes us to think of Tom, when he says to him on his sick-bed:”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”.......................................................................................................................................................

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Milan Tomic

Hi. I’m Designer of Blog Magic. I’m CEO/Founder of ThemeXpose. I’m Creative Art Director, Web Designer, UI/UX Designer, Interaction Designer, Industrial Designer, Web Developer, Business Enthusiast, StartUp Enthusiast, Speaker, Writer and Photographer. Inspired to make things looks better.

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