BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF TOM JONES 吉林建工 闫顺

1、BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF TOM JONES Jessica PresentsWriter :Henry Fielding,1707-1754Henry Fielding,1707-1754Some points:About the novel1 Published in 17492 Written with structure of “the picaresque novel(流浪汉体小说)”3 The most mature work in Fieldings art life4 An epoch-making work in British literature his

2、tory About Fielding1 First great novelist of Britain2 Regarded by some as “Father of the English Novel” for his contribution to the establishment of the form of the modern novel3One of the four greatest realistic writers in 18th century 4 One of the most outstanding European realistic writers in 18t

3、h centuryHenry FieldingThe Writing Style 1 Fielding shows the 18th century love of satire. He hates that hypocrisy（虚伪） and vanity which try to conceal itself under a mask of morality. In the evolution of the plots of his novels ,he invariably puts such characters in positions which tear away their m

4、ask. He displays almost savage pleasure in making them ridiculous.2 the hero overcomes not only all external plots and obstacles, but, most importantly his own weakness of character to win both love and fortune.Plot Tom Jones is a foundling discovered on the property of a very kind, wealthy landowne

5、r, Squire Allworthy, in Somerset in Englands West Country. Tom grows into a vigorous and lusty, yet honest and kind-hearted, youth. He develops affection for his neighbors daughter, Sophia Western. On one hand, their love reflects the romantic comedy genre that was popular in 18th-century Britain. H

6、owever, Toms status as a bastard causes Sophias father and Allworthy to oppose their love; this criticism of class friction in society acted as a biting social commentary. The inclusion of prostitution and sexual promiscuity in the plot was also original for its time, and also acted as the foundatio

7、n for criticism of the books “lowness.“ Blilfil，the hypocritical villain of the story，is sober, discreet, and pious beyond his age. He does every thing for his own benefits. He is envious of Mr. Allworthys fondness for the foundling and Toms intimacy with Sophia. . He seeks to hasten his uncles deat

8、h to get his property; he intends to marry Sophia with the aim of obtaining her fortune; Sophia in rebellion against her fathers desire that she be married to Blifil, marches out for London too, accompanied by her maid he employs a lawyer to get Tom Jones sentenced to death. The two young people, es

9、pecially tom, have many adventures on the road, but in the end, after some misunderstanding between them, they are united.The Main Characters in This Book Blifil Contrary to Tom, is a foil to his uncle, sly, perfidious, hypocritical, he evinces a hared for Tom Sophiabeautiful ,charming, fall in deep

10、 love with Tom, ideal womanMr. Allworthywealthy ,generousTom JonesFieldings imperfect and “moral” hero, a foundling, sincere to his foster father, jolly, open-hearted and with a little lustful(好色的) depravity（堕落）themes Basic theme: conflict between good and darkness Expose the nature of the British b

11、ourgeois classes decadence(腐朽 堕落) , hypocrisy and mercenary (唯利是图的)attitude Satirize the hypocrites，and opportunists（市侩 机会主义者）Comments on This Novel For a time，tom has become a national hero. People were fond of this young fellow with manly virtues and yet not fault-honest, kind-hearted, high-spirited, loyal, and brave but impulsive , wanting prudence and full of animal spirits. In a way, the young