"Joseph Andrews"

Book Review # 93705

English > Analysis
Literature > English

"Joseph Andrews"

An analysis of the portrayal of English society in Henry Fielding's "Joseph Andrews".

7,554 words () | 5 sources | MLA | 2006 France

Paper Summary:

In "Joseph Andrews", Henry Fielding offers a satiric description of the society he lives in. This paper describes the different aspects of English society seen from Fielding's eyes. It looks at how the narrator, through the adventures of Joseph Andrews and Abraham Adams, gives a description of eighteenth century English society and its habits with its strong belief in appearances, wealth and power. It also discusses how the protagonists enter this world with their prejudices of charity and kindness and how their innocence and virtue do not predispose them to face a rough, materialist and individualist society.

Outline:
Introduction
First Part
Second Part
Third Part
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The impact of appearance is also greatly demonstrated in the Lady's story in book I chapter 4. The history of Leonora is significant of the omnipotence of physicality in society. Leonora is said to have all that she could desire - fortune, a devoted lover - and she throw it all away for appearances. The apparition of the coach and six is eye-catching and Bellarmine's dress in a French fashion can but attract her passion. The minute description of his clothes - his "cut-velvet coat of a cinnamon colour", with "a pink satten", "gold" - shows the attractiveness of the man and the good reputation that follows him - certainly everywhere. Then, although Leonora had refused to dance with any of the men, she accepts to dance with Bellarmine and actually falls in love with him. But the brightness of these clothes hides the darkness of his heart and the man Leonora thought to be a gentleman finally flies away. "

Sample of Sources Used:

FIELDING, Henry, Joseph Andrews/Shamela. Edited by Judith Hawley. London, 1999.
BATTESTIN, Martin C., and Ruthe R. Battestin. Henry Fielding: A Life. London and New York, 1989.
CAMPBELL, Jill, Natural Masques: Gender and Identity in Fielding's Plays and Novels. Stanford, 1995.
PAGLIARO, Harold, Henry Fielding: A Literary Life. Basingstoke, U.K., 1998.
UGLOW, Jenny, Henry Fielding. Plymouth, U.K., 1995.