Tom Jones: Analysis of Major Characters
"Tom Jones: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the intricate relationships and moral complexities of characters within Henry Fielding's classic novel, "Tom Jones." Central to the narrative is Tom Jones himself, a foundling raised by Squire Allworthy, who embodies a mix of youthful foolishness and innate goodness. His journey is marked by misadventures largely influenced by characters like Master Blifil, whose hypocritical nature and rivalry with Tom drive much of the conflict. Squire Allworthy, Tom's benevolent foster father, represents justice and virtue, though he often struggles to see the deception in others.
Sophia Western, the virtuous daughter of Squire Western, loves Tom but is torn by his reckless behavior, causing her to seek assurance of his fidelity before accepting his love. Other pivotal characters include Squire Western, whose domineering attitude forces Sophia into a perilous situation, and Lady Bellaston, who harbors questionable motives toward Tom. The dynamic between these characters, alongside a host of supporting figures like Mr. Partridge and Mrs. Miller, creates a rich tapestry that highlights themes of virtue, hypocrisy, and the quest for identity. This analysis invites readers to delve deeper into the moral and social critiques woven throughout Fielding's narrative.
Tom Jones: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Henry Fielding
First published: The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, 1749
Genre: Novel
Locale: England
Plot: Picaresque
Time: Early eighteenth century
Tom Jones, a foundling. Although he is befriended by his foster father, Squire Allworthy, Tom encounters many vicissitudes, some of them of his own making, for he is a somewhat wild and foolish, though good-hearted, young man. His wild ways, exaggerated by enemies, including Master Blifil, cause Tom to be cast off by Squire Allworthy. After Tom's goodness and virtue eventually triumph over disastrous circumstances, the young man is reconciled with the squire and, even more important, with Sophia Western, the beautiful and virtuous woman he loves. He is acknowledged as the squire's nephew when the secret of his real parentage becomes known.
Squire Allworthy, an extremely just and virtuous country gentleman who becomes Tom's foster father after the infant is discovered in the squire's bed. Tom's enemies play upon the squire's gullibility, for Allworthy, like many another honest man, finds it difficult to believe that there is dishonesty in other people. Eventually, he sees Tom's essential goodness, receives him as his nephew, and makes the young man his heir.
Sophia Western, the virtuous daughter of a domineering country squire. She loves Tom, even to facing down her father and aunt when they try to marry her off to Master Blifil and Lord Fellamar. Although she loves Tom, she is disappointed by his escapades, particularly those of an amorous nature, and until she is convinced that he can be a faithful husband, she refuses to accept his suit.
Squire Western, Sophia's domineering, profane father, who loves his hounds, his horses, and his bottle almost as much as his only child. When he insists on forcing her to marry Master Blifil, the husband of his choice, Sophia is forced into running away from home, placing herself and her virtue in the path of adventure and danger. The squire, though uncouth, is a good man at heart. Both he and Squire Allworthy are exceptionally well-drawn characters.
Master Blifil, the villainous son of the squire's sister, Bridget. A great hypocrite, he hides his villainy under a cloak of seeming honesty and virtue. He plays false witness against Tom many times. He becomes Sophia Western's suitor only because he wants her money and hates Tom, the man she loves. His villainy is done in the face of his knowing that Tom is really an older half brother, not a foundling.
Bridget Blifil, Squire Allworthy's seemingly virtuous sister. She bears Tom out of wedlock and lets him become a foundling. Later, she marries and has another son, Master Blifil. On her deathbed, she sends to her brother a letter telling the story of Tom's parentage. The letter is stolen and concealed by her legitimate son.
Captain Blifil, Bridget's husband, who marries her for her money. He dies of apoplexy, however, before he can enjoy any of it.
Mr. Partridge, a schoolteacher and barber-surgeon. Long Tom's loyal, if loquacious, companion, he is for many years suspected of being Tom's father.
Jenny Jones, later Mrs. Waters. As a maid in Mr. Partridge's house, she is accused of being Tom's mother, and her surname is given to him. As Mrs. Waters, she has a brief love affair with Tom, much to the horror of some of his acquaintances, who believe that the supposed mother and son have committed incest. Through her testimony, the identity of Tom's real mother becomes known.
Mr. Dowling, a not-so-honest lawyer. Through his testimony, Tom's identity is proved, as he corroborates Jenny Jones's statements. He keeps the secret for many years, thinking that he is following Mr. Allworthy's wishes.
Black George Seagrim, so called because of his extremely black beard, a rustic and poacher. Although he is befriended by Tom, he steals from the young man and plays him ill turns.
Molly Seagrim, a young woman of easy virtue, Black George's daughter. Tom's escapades with her cause him grave trouble until her affairs with other men take some of the blame from him.
The Reverend Roger Thwackum, an Anglican clergyman retained by Mr. Allworthy to tutor Tom and Master Blifil during their boyhood. A self-righteous, bigoted man, he voices his prejudices at all times. He beats Tom often and severely, living up to his name.
Mr. Thomas Square, a deistically inclined philosopher who is a pensioner in Mr. Allworthy's household and is Mr. Thwackum's opponent in endless debates over the efficacy of reason and religious insight. Although he dislikes Tom, he makes a deathbed confession that clears Tom of some of his supposed misdeeds.
Lady Bellaston, a sensual noblewoman of loose morals who takes a fancy to Tom and, when she is spurned, tries to do him much evil.
Mrs. Western, Lady Bellaston's cousin and Sophia's aunt. To satisfy her own social pretensions, she tries to marry off Sophia to Lord Fellamar against the girl's will.
Mrs. Fitzpatrick, Sophia's cousin. They travel to London together.
Mr. Fitzpatrick, her jealous husband. Tom is jailed for wounding him in a duel.
Lord Fellamar, a licentious nobleman who makes love to Sophia and, with Mrs. Western's approval, even attempts to ravish the girl to force her to marry him. Misled by Lady Bellaston's advice, he tries to have Tom impressed into the naval service.
Mrs. Arabella Hunt, a pretty and wealthy widow who offers formally, by letter, to marry Tom. His refusal of this handsome offer helps reestablish Tom with Sophia.
Honour Blackmore, Sophia's loyal, if somewhat selfish, maid, who shares in most of her mistress' adventures.
Mrs. Miller, Tom's landlady in London. Convinced of his virtue by his many good deeds, she pleads on his behalf with Squire Allworthy and is instrumental in helping restore Tom to his foster father's good graces.
Nancy and Betty Miller, the landlady's daughters.
Mr. Nightingale, Tom's fellow lodger at the Miller house. Tom persuades the elder Nightingale to permit the son to marry Nancy.
Mr. Summer, a handsome young cleric befriended as a student by Mr. Allworthy. It was he who seduced Bridget Allworthy and fathered Tom Jones.