Joseph Andrews as A Social Satire💐🌷🦋🍁🙋♀️👇🌿🌿🌿🌿🍁🍁🍁
Henry Fielding is widely studied today as one of the chief begetters of the modernist movement in novel and as a master who embodied in realistic prose a panoramic survey of the contemporary society. With the novelty and vitality of the writings of Henry Fielding exerted a major influence on the succeeding writers and dominated the English fiction until the end of the 19th century.
Fielding’s brilliant tour de force Joseph Andrews is an astounding encapsulation of the 18th century English social life and manners. It mirrors with rare force and realism, the blemishes of mankind in its true face. The novel, in its entirety, is an impassioned satire on the moral and social ills that beset the 18th century English society. In this novel we are confronted with a chameleonic society that frequently changes its appearance to gratify personal lusts of various kinds. The social life portrayed by Fielding is scrutinized in every facets of this society. The novel depicts human beings camouflaged in various shades of vanity, hypocrisy and narcissism. Here, Fielding essentially becomes a spokesman of his age and seeks to come out strongly against the affected behavior of the so-called respectable society of the day. The reader becomes a witness of characters who have a life of their own, but it is the essence of humanity, distilled through Fielding’s own vision. It is presented to us through the lines:
“I describe not men, but manners, not an individual, but species”.
Fielding's exploration begins with his survey on the nature and temperament of women of his time. Women of all classes were snobbish and amorous to some extent . The sensuality of women is reflected at its best through the representatives like Lady Booby, Mrs. Slipslop and Betty. Lady Booby feels greatly attracted by Joseph’s manliness and personality and seeks in vain to evoke his sexual response to gratify her sensual appetite. Mrs. Slipslop also follows her mistress’ path and tries to win Joseph as a lover. Even Betty falls in love with Joseph and seeks in vain to have sexual gratification from him. All these amorous intentions show a fair picture of the amoral side of the 18th century women.
The society that Fielding portrays in Joseph Andrews is extremely inhuman, callous, indifferent, uncharitable and narcissistic. The insensitive hardness of this society is clearly exposed in the stage-coach scene in which we find inhuman stubborness. When Postillion tells the Coachman that someone is groaning within a ditch, he bids the postillion to "Go on, Sirrah, we are confounded late”. Then there is a lady who reacts in a contemptible manner, when Postillion relates Joseph’s nakedness : "O Jesus, a naked Man! Dear Coachman, drive on and leave him". Thus both the coachman and the lady decide to leave Joseph to his own lot, the coachman because he is behind schedule, and the lady because she cannot tolerate the idea of aiding a naked man. Seeing the gentlemen, Joseph appeals to them and details the circumstances of his situation, upon which an old gentleman cries: "Robbed! Let us make all the haste imaginable, or we shall be robbed too", showing again a similar willingness as the others have displayed to abandon Joseph. In addition, the other gentleman, who studies law, deems that they should not abandon Joseph at all, although for contemptible reasons. Although he agrees with the rest that "he wished they had past by without taking any notice", his final conclusion is that they would be held accountable for murder if Joseph died in that situation and he therefore thought “it adviseable to save the poor creature's life, for their own sakes”. Although Joseph does require clothing to fight against the cold in his enfeebled state, both the lawyer and the older gentlemen do not condescend to vouchsafe any assistance. The coachman also declines, in spite of his two large coats, because of fears that "they should be made bloody" At last, it is the postillion, "a lad who hath been since transported for robbing a hen-roost, voluntarily strips off a great coat, his only garment" and swore that he would rather remain in a shirt than "suffer a fellow-creature to lie in so miserable a condition". Here Fielding shows the contrast between the attitude of the rich passengers and that of the poor Postillion. What sets him apart is not his class, but the fact that he alone dismisses his own comfort and he is the only person who considers Joseph a "fellow-creature" worthy of such rescue. Fielding emphatically declares: "High People" are "People of Fashion", but that they are not "higher in their Dimensions" nor in "their Characters" The incident gives ample scope to Fielding for satirizing the pretences and affectations of an essentially inhuman society.
Fielding also provides some glimpses of the chaotic, greedy, opportunistic and insincere sides of the 18th century society. The chaotic side is exposed by the robbery incident. It is also revealed by the incident in which a villain attempts to rape Fanny. Human greed is exposed by the characters of the surgeons and the clergymen. The surgeon refused to treat Joseph because was unable to pay fees. The clergymen of the time were the most selfish and materialistic. Parson Barnabas and Parson Trulliber are the true embodiments of corrupt clergy. Then there is a squire who is fond of hunting hares, tries to satisfy his lustful desire for Fanny taking advantages of her poor condition. The insincerity of the society is also revealed by the depiction of the justices, who were as dishonest as the clergymen and the squires. Justice Frolick, for instance, goes out of his way to send Joseph and Fanny to prison, without any trial, only to satisfy a whim of Lady Booby.
In brief, Joseph Andrews is a fine social document that represents an inclusive picture of the 18the century English society. The novel directs its satire not only against particular individuals but also against the follies and vices of the entire society.
Semuel Richardson’s Pamela (1740) is a famous example of an epistolary novel, or a novel composed of letters. Richardson was famous for this style of writing and used it in his other novels. Pamela differs from Richardson’s other novels in that the letters are mostly from the titular Pamela; whereas in his other novels, more points of view are included. The novel focuses on Pamela to hone in on her experience and state of mind.
Pamela is a fifteen-year-old maidservant in Bedfordshire. She is innocent and virtuous. She serves Lady B, who is kind to her. Unfortunately, Lady B has just passed away. Pamela is nervous about her work situation, as she does not come from money. Lady B’s son, Mr. B, promises to keep her and all the other servants employed.
Mr. B begins making advances towards Pamela. At first, they are just verbal, as she reports to her parents. She promises she will do everything to preserve her virtue. Her parents agree with her, but advise her if Mr. B ever makes physical advances towards her she should return home, despite their impoverishment. Soon thereafter, Mr. B makes a physical advancement towards Pamela, which she rebufs. He attempts to pay her to keep her quiet, but she refuses and tells her friend the housekeeper, Mrs. Jervis.
Mr. B continues to make advances towards Pamela, including trying to kiss her while she undresses for the evening after hiding in her closet. She faints, which dissuades Mr. B from continuing. Pamela threatens to return home to her parents. Mr. B is against this and thwarts her return.
He offers Pamela more money, then marriage to a Lincolnshire clergyman named Mr. Williams. She refuses and packs her bags to return home. Mr. B tricks Pamela and sends her to his estate in Lincolnshire. He also writes her parents telling them he has sent her away to preserve her virtue, as she has had an affair with a penurious clergyman. Pamela’s father does not believe him and attempts to retrieve her at the Bedfordshire estate, but she is not there.
Pamela begins a journal in Lincolnshire, hoping one day her parents will read it and understand. She is virtually a captive there, under the watch of Mrs. Jewkes, the spiteful housekeeper. Mr. B writes to Pamela and invites her to be his mistress. She refuses. Pamela begins to plan her escape and enlists the help of Mr. Williams. They exchange letters leaving them next to the sunflower in the garden. Mr. Williams tries his best to help her, even asking the local gentry for assistance. They refuse due to Mr. B’s social standing, advising Mr. Williams to marry Pamela.
Mr. Williams asks Pamela to marry him to help her escape, but she refuses. Pamela is concerned when Mr. Williams is robbed, wondering if Mr. B set the robbery up to steal her letters. She is determined to escape but gives up on this idea when she is hurt during her attempt.
Mr. B soon arrives at Lincolnshire. He again asks Pamela to be his mistress and she refuses. Mr. B and Mr. Jewkes come up with a plan for Mr. B to finally seduce Pamela. He dresses up as a female servant named Nan and pretends to be drunk. As Nan, he sneaks into Pamela’s bed. When Pamela realizes what is happening, she has a violent fit, similar to a seizure.
After Pamela’s fit, Mr. B’s demeanor changes. He seems regretful in his actions, but continues to pursue her, albeit without force. Pamela begs him to stop his advances. He admits that he loves Pamela, but feels he is unable to marry her due to the social gap. Pamela is shocked, but somewhat stirred by his confession. She hopes he means what he says. Mr. B leaves his estate for a few days. While he is gone, Pamela is stopped by a fortuneteller who says Mr. B is trying to force her into a sham marriage. She rethinks her burgeoning affection for Mr. B.
When Mr. B returns, Mrs. Jewkes gives him some of Pamela’s recent writings. After reading them, his affection for Pamela only grows. He feels guilty for the way he has treated her and promises to make things right by marrying her. Pamela is still suspicious of him and denies him, asking to return home. Mr. B is upset and angry, but allows Pamela to go home. Pamela feels strangely sad.
On her way home, she receives a letter from Mr. B, imploring her to return and marry him. He speaks of reform and changing his ways, and Pamela, believing him, decides to return. On her return, they wonder how the gentry will react to their marriage, and Pamela tells Mr. B why she was wary of his proposal. He admits he thought of luring her into a sham marriage, but changed his mind.
The gentry accept Pamela easily, due to her charm. Her father comes looking for her, worried that she is now a mistress, but is happy and excited to see her engaged and content. Mr. B and Pamela are soon married. Pamela then has a hostile interaction with Mr. B’s sister, Lady Davers where she effectively holds Pamela hostage, disparaging her social status. Lady Davers forces Mr. B to confess to a dalliance he had as a young man. Pamela learns there was a child produced from this dalliance named Miss Goodwin. He introduces Pamela to Miss Goodwin, who believes Mr. B is her uncle. Miss Goodwin’s mother is happily married in Jamaica.
Mr. B sets up Pamela’s parents to look after Mr. B’s estate in Kent. Lady Davers ultimately accepts Pamela. Pamela has many children with Mr. B and visits with her family often. She is happy and takes Miss Goodwin under her wing, ensuring that she becomes as pious as Pamela.
JOSEPH ANDREWS SYMBOLISM, IMAGERY, ALLEGORY
#_The_Broken_Piece_of_Gold
Who'da thunk Joseph would be so interested in a piece of gold? What's gold to this goody-two-shoes, right?Yeah, well, this particular piece of gold is a special symbol that reminds Joseph of Fanny....
#The_Strawberry_Shaped_Birthmark
Joseph has a particularly pretty birthmark on his chest. Now, it's not like he goes around flashing that birthmark to everyone, but still, all of Joseph's buddies know that this birthmark separates...
#Pamela_Andrews
Okay, you knew this was coming. We can't overstate the importance of Miss Pamela Andrews to Fielding's work in general—and to Joseph Andrews in particular. We'd even say that she's less of a char...
#The_History_of_Leonora
The story Leonora inserted is inserted seemingly randomly in the middle of Joseph Andrews, right after Joseph and Adams split up to travel. The only connection this story has to the book's plot is...
#Symbolism_Imagery_Allegory
Who'da thunk Joseph would be so interested in a piece of gold? What's gold to this goody-two-shoes, right?
Yeah, well, this particular piece of gold is a special symbol that reminds Joseph of Fanny. When he's robbed on the road, he begs people to "search for a little piece of broken gold, which had a ribband tied to it, and which he could swear to amongst all the hoards of the richest men in the universe".
Later on, the folks at the inn try to confiscate the piece of gold to use as evidence against the robbers who left Joseph in a ditch. Great, right? Not right: we find Joseph practically in tears as he tries to prevent his piece of gold from disappearing in a lengthy trial. More than revenge or justice, Joseph values his relationship with Fanny. If he let this piece of gold vanish into the ether, his value system would be totally out of whack.
In a nutshell, Joseph is keen on recovering the piece of gold because it represents Fanny and his love for her. Joseph doesn't care how much the gold is worth in monetary terms; it's only meaningful to him as a reminder of Fanny. On top of that, Joseph is struggling to keep his virtue intact. He tells us he's resisting temptation so that he can save himself Fanny, so it makes sense that he needs a little reminder now and again.
Joseph has a particularly pretty birthmark on his chest. Now, it's not like he goes around flashing that birthmark to everyone, but still, all of Joseph's buddies know that this birthmark separates Joseph from the pack. Little do they know that it's also the thing that shows his true parentage—yep, it turns out that Joseph is a gentleman, through and through. As Mr. Wilson's son and heir, he's got plenty of wealth coming to him.
Joseph is a handsome guy, but he's by no means perfect. Fielding takes great pains to show how Joseph is always in the middle. He's middle-class, middling height, and not particularly smart about navigating the world. Joseph's flaws help him, though. The strawberry-shaped birthmark is the perfect example of a flaw that changes Joseph's life for the better, due to how recognizable it is.
Take a look at what the peddler says about Joseph and his birthmark, for example. After all, it's the savvy peddler who brings the birthmark to everyone's attention. He asks Gammar Andrews if her supposed kid has a birthmark, and she answers: "Yes, he had as fine a strawberry as ever grew in a garden". By implying that Joseph's strawberry birthmark is natural, Gammar Andrews suggests that he's pretty awesome, flaws and all.
See, even if Joseph isn't at the top of his game, his birthmark shows that he's a natural gentleman. We're thinking that Fielding is making a joke about how virte can't overstate the importance of Miss Pamela Andrews to Fielding's work in general—and to Joseph Andrews in particular. We'd even say that she's less of a character and more of a symbol in this book. Joseph breaks it down for us: "I don't doubt, dear sister, but you will have the grace to preserve your virtue against all trials, and I beg you earnestly to pray, I may be enabled to preserve mine hold up. What's he talking about? Obviously, Joseph is trying to withstand the temptation to give up his virtue. But he's also talking about Pamela's trials to hold off her master, Mr. B. This battle of wills is the whole plot of Pamela , Samuel Richardson's masterpiece (or master-stinker, if you agree with Fielding).
The ghost of Pamela haunts all of Joseph Andrews. Joseph is constantly in his sister's shadow, trying to measure up to her unattainable level of perfection. Although we don't actually meet Pamela, the character, until the very end of the book, Joseph hopes
Isn't this all a little bit much? Surely, no one thinks about their bratty sibling that much. Still, we're talking about Pamela Andrews , the single biggest sensation to hit eighteenth-century literature. Even better, Fielding has a hay day making fun of the secret of the book's success. Despite Pamela's will to resist sex, people read the book because it was sexy.
On top of that, by switching the sex of the main character from a female (Pamela) to a male (Joseph), Fielding is sending up Richardson's whole premise. At least in the eighteenth century, it would have been a lot more absurd for a handsome young buck to be holding off a bunch of lusty ladies than for a virtuous maiden to be holding off a lecherous old man. Fielding is making fun of the whole double standard.
[SHORT ANSWERS
JOSEPH ANDREWS BY HENRY FIELDING
QUESTION NO. 1
Answer the following questions.
(i) What is a novel?
Ans. A novel is a long narrative, normally in prose, which describes fictional characters and events, usually in the form of a sequential story. "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen and "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens are famous English novels.
(ii) What is Fielding's concept of novel?
Ans. In his preface to "Joseph Andrews", Fielding claims that novel is a genre of writing "which I do not remember to have been hitherto attempted in our language". He defined it as the "comic epic-poem in prose": a work of prose fiction, epic in length and variety of incident and character, in the hypothetical spirit of Homer's lost comic poem Margites.
(iii) Write the names of four novels of Fielding.
Ans. Joseph Andrews (1742), Jonathan Wild (1748), Tom Jones (1749) and Amelia (1751) are the famous novels of Henry Fielding.
(iv) What factors influenced Fielding in his conception and composition of 'Joseph Andrews'?
Ans. Fielding's first venture into prose fiction came a year previously with the publication in pamphlet form of Shamela, a travesty of, and direct response to, the stylistic failing and moral hypocrisy that Fielding saw in Richardson's Pamela. The impetus of the novel, as Fielding claims in his preface, is the establishment of a genre of writing "which I do not remember to have been hitherto attempted in our language".
(v) What is the purpose of the Author's Preface in 'Joseph Andrews'?
Ans. The purpose of Fielding's preface in "Joseph Andrews" is to define and defend his chosen genre, "comic-epic poem in prose". He is particularly concerned to differentiate the comic epic, and comedy generally, from burlesque. He also defends the various vices inserted in the novel.
(vi) How is the novel 'Joseph Andrews' related to 'Pamela'?
Ans. Fielding wrote "Shamela" as a satirical response to Richardson's "Pamela", and his longer and more serious "Joseph Andrews" likewise draws on Richardson's novel for an equivocal sort of inspiration. While "Shamela" is a straightforward travesty of "Pamlea", "Joseph Andrews" is something more complex, and its relation to "Pamela" is something other than the relation of parody to original.
(vii) Define digression.
Ans. A digression is a stylistic device authors employ to create a temporary departure from the main subject of the narrative to focus on apparently unrelated topics, explaining background details. However, after this temporary shift, authors return to the main topic at the end of the narrative. There are several famous digressions in Homer, such as the "wall scene" in Book 3 of the "Iliad".
(viii) What is the purpose of digression in 'Joseph Andrews'?
Ans. It is perhaps a development of Fielding's verbose writing style that he includes so many digressions in "Joseph Andrews". There are three main interpolated tales in the novel. In regards to these interpolated tales, Fielding employs a variety of tactics to make the stories more believable. These inserted stories also illustrate other tensions related to writing a novel, such as control and interruption.
(ix) Define the narrator?
Ans. A narrator is the voice that an author takes on to tell a story. This voice can have a personality quite different from the author's. For example, in his story "The Tell-Tale Heart", Edgar Allan Poe makes his narrator a raving lunatic.
(x) Define burlesque.
Ans. Burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of the subjects. Contrasting examples of literary burlesque are Alexander Pope's "The Rape of the Lock" and Samuel Butler's "Hudibras". W.S. Gilbert's "Robert the Devil" is an example of theatrical burlesque.
(xi) What is bildungsroman?
Ans. Bildungsroman is a special kind of novel that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of its main character from his or her youth to adulthood. "Tom Jones" by Henry Fielding and "David Copperfield" by Charles Dickens are examples of bildungsroman.
(xii) What is important about the plot of the novel 'Joseph Andrews'?
Ans. "Joseph Andrews" is a picaresque novel in structure, for its plot-line is similar to the one-line structure of picaresque fiction. The plot of the novel progresses by "shutting', moving forward by "small oscillations of emotion", which, in the larger, all-over design, are small parts of a unified whole, episodic in nature. At times, events seem like reversals, followed by forward movement.
(xiii) What are the major themes of 'Joseph Andrews'?
Ans. The vulnerability and power of goodness, charity and religion, town and country, class and birth, reality verses appearance, providence, affection, vanity, hypocrisy, and chastity are the major themes of "Joseph Andrews".
(xiv) According to Fielding, what are the proper roles of clergy?
Ans. One role of the clergy would be charity, clearly evident in the character of Parson Adams. Adams also illustrates the clergy's role in instructing the members of their parish, as well as demonstrating and modeling Christian morals and propriety. Adam's character is the epitome of honesty.
(xv) What is the significance of the letter from Joseph to his sister?
Ans. Joseph's letter to his sister Pamela is significant because it illustrates his innocence. He thinks that Lady Booby is perhaps pursuing him, but charitably ascribes this to distraction over the death of Sir Thomas. In any case, he anticipates his dismissal and advises Pamela of his return to the Booby country-seat.
