Fielding is often considered one of the most significant contributors to the development of the English novel. His nearly seamless incorporation of drama, satire, romance, and epic into his works helped distinguish the novel as a new and unique genre quite distinct from its early
influences. Fielding's long and bitter feud with rival novelist Samuel Richardson also contributed to the development of the novel form: opposed to the didactic tone and unrealistic characters and situations of his contemporaries, Fielding infused the novel with compassion, comedy, and a heightened sense of realism. His comic sense is deep and sometimes under it very serious themes may appear. Although Fielding's lasting reputation rests on his major novels, he was also a popular
and important playwright, an influential journalist, and one of England's leading judicial reformers.
In all of his writing, Fielding demonstrated a concern with social and moral hypocrisy, attacking not only Richardson but also dramatist and Poet Laureate Colley Cibber and Prime Minister Robert Walpole for what he considered their failure to deal openly with serious social issues, whether in literary works or as a government official. Nowadays his novels and his humor became popular again and in this work author is going to look deeply in one of the comic literary works”The History
of Tom Jones, a Foundling”.
Table of Contents
- INTRODUCTION
- 1. HENRY FIELDING: BIOGRAPHY AND LITERARY WORKS
- 2. CRITICAL RECEPTION
- 3. TOM JONES: THE MAIN POINTS
- 4. COMIC PROSE EPIC
- 5. COMIC OR IRONY?
- 6. FIELDING'S COMEDY
- 7. COMIC SPIRIT FOR FIELDING
- 8. TOM JONES CONCEPT IN COMIC
Objectives and Key Themes
This work aims to provide an in-depth analysis of Henry Fielding's comedic style as exemplified in his novel "The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling." It explores Fielding's life and literary career, examining the context of his work within the eighteenth-century English literary landscape and his rivalry with Samuel Richardson. The study delves into the novel's comedic elements, exploring the interplay of comedy and irony, and analyzing Fielding's comedic spirit and its application in "Tom Jones."
- Henry Fielding's biography and literary career
- The development of the English novel and Fielding's contribution
- Fielding's comedic style and its use of irony
- The themes and structure of "Tom Jones"
- Fielding's social and political commentary within his works
Chapter Summaries
INTRODUCTION: This introduction establishes Henry Fielding's importance in the development of the English novel, highlighting his unique blend of genres and his significant rivalry with Samuel Richardson. It contrasts Fielding's compassionate and realistic approach with the didacticism of his contemporaries. The introduction also emphasizes Fielding's multifaceted career as a playwright, journalist, and judicial reformer, and his consistent critique of social and moral hypocrisy. The author's intention to deeply examine the comedic elements of "The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling" is clearly stated.
1. HENRY FIELDING: BIOGRAPHY AND LITERARY WORKS: This chapter offers a detailed biography of Henry Fielding, tracing his life from his aristocratic upbringing to his career as a playwright and novelist. It discusses his education, early family struggles, and his foray into the London theater scene, including his successes and the eventual impact of the Licensing Act of 1737 on his dramatic career. The chapter also examines his shift to law and journalism, highlighting the publication of his satirical works such as "Shamela" and "Joseph Andrews," which developed alongside and in response to Richardson's novels. His personal life, including his marriages and financial difficulties, are also detailed, illustrating the contexts of his literary production.
Keywords
Henry Fielding, English Novel, Eighteenth-Century Literature, Comedy, Irony, Satire, "Tom Jones," Samuel Richardson, Social Commentary, Comic Epic in Prose, Literary Criticism.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Henry Fielding's Comedic Style in "Tom Jones"
What is the overall purpose of this document?
This document serves as a comprehensive preview of a work analyzing Henry Fielding's comedic style in his novel "The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling." It provides a table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords, offering a structured overview of the in-depth analysis.
What topics are covered in the analysis of Henry Fielding's "Tom Jones"?
The analysis covers Henry Fielding's biography and literary career, placing his work within the 18th-century English literary landscape and exploring his rivalry with Samuel Richardson. It delves into the comedic elements of "Tom Jones," examining the interplay of comedy and irony, and analyzing Fielding's comedic spirit and its application in the novel. Further, it explores the themes and structure of "Tom Jones" and Fielding's social and political commentary.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
Key themes include Henry Fielding's biography and literary career, the development of the English novel and Fielding's contribution, Fielding's comedic style and its use of irony, the themes and structure of "Tom Jones," and Fielding's social and political commentary within his works.
What is included in the "Chapter Summaries" section?
The "Chapter Summaries" section provides a brief overview of each chapter's content. The introduction sets the stage by establishing Fielding's importance in the development of the English novel and his rivalry with Richardson. Chapter 1 provides a detailed biography of Fielding, covering his life, career, and the contexts of his literary production. Further chapters (not fully summarized in the preview) will likely delve deeper into the comedic aspects of "Tom Jones."
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include Henry Fielding, English Novel, Eighteenth-Century Literature, Comedy, Irony, Satire, "Tom Jones," Samuel Richardson, Social Commentary, Comic Epic in Prose, and Literary Criticism.
What is the structure of the provided preview?
The preview is structured to provide a clear and concise overview. It includes a table of contents outlining the chapters, a statement of objectives and key themes, chapter summaries giving a brief synopsis of each chapter’s content, and a list of keywords to highlight the core concepts discussed.
Who is the target audience for this document?
This document is intended for academic use, supporting structured and professional analysis of themes related to Henry Fielding and his work. It would be useful for students and researchers studying 18th-century English literature, the development of the novel, or comedic techniques in literature.
- Quote paper
- Oksana Lesovaja (Author), 2009, The Comic in Henry Fielding's ”The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling”, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/125182
