Joseph Andrews
In Fielding's Joseph Andrews you see a variety of characters. They range from the shallow, vain and proud characters like Lady Booby and Mrs. Slipslop to the innocent, sincere, and virtuous like Joseph and Fanny. The presence of Lady Booby, and all of the people like her that are portrayed in the same selfish and dishonest way, bring out the importance of the clergy. Most of the clergy that we meet in the story don't fit our vision of "holy people". They didn't fit Fielding's vision either. Parson Adams is the only character that represents what Fielding considers to be the proper role for the clergy. He believes that the proper role for the clergy is that they should give moral guidance and they should be virtuous and charitable. There are many examples of charity made by Parson Adams because Fielding believes that charity is part of the proper role for the clergy. But I think that Adams will stand out more if I show how uncharitable the rest of the characters are. While at The Dragon Inn, Joseph meets Mr. and Mrs. Tow-wouse. Mr. Tow-wouse is the owner of the inn and for his brief presence in the book he is good-natured, unlike his wife who is greedy and very uncharitable. When her husband gets a shirt to clo
Adams and Joseph travel on but stop at another inn for the night. It is in this chapter that we see the first of many fistfights. The hostess cares for Joseph but her husband scolds her for wasting time. She is very much like Betty back at the other inn. Neither one of them are perfect but they have a sense of charm that puts them on a higher pedestal than the rich snobby people that reappear later in the story. But the host of the inn begins to fight after a remark by Adams about the host's very little humanity. The fight is settled and a gentleman sitting nearby suggests that they should take out a suit against the host. But Adams admits that it's his fault because he threw the first punch. The gentleman encourages Joseph to lie for Adams because he's the only witness. But Adam's is too honest to get mixed up in a lie, especially when he started it. He owns up to the responsibility for the fight even though he could have gotten some money out of it. It is rare to find a person that would be so horrified at the thought of lying. But Adams is not like a lot of the other people in the book, especially the other clergymen. He preaches about the importance of active virtue and is too sincere and genuine to be put on the same level as the rest of the clergymen in the book. The reunion of Fanny and Joseph brings out the truly charitable nature of Adams because he finds joy in the happiness of others. Even though he doesn't benefit from their love personally, he is delighted that they are going to be happy together for the rest of their lives. But in contrast to this we are reminded of Slipslop and Lady Booby and their jealousy of Fanny. the naked Joseph she states, "Common charity teaches us to provide for ourselves and our families; and I and mine won't be ruined by your charity, I assure you" (93). Later on, Joseph meets Mr. Barnabas. He is a clergyman but a disgrace when compared to Adams. Adams' office as a clergyman is important because "no other office could have given him so many opportunities of displaying his worthy inclinations" (95). Barnabas is sent to Joseph's room in the inn to comfort him because he has been severely and is expected to die. But Barnabas is more interested in punch than his duties. Eve
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1508
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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