Cοurse paper Theme: Henry Fielding parodies on Samuel Richardson's novels

I.2. The biography of Henry Fielding and popular works.
Henry Fielding was once the greatest consultant of realism in the 18th century. He was once from an aristocratic household and studied at the old-established boys college of Eton. At the age of twenty he started writing for the stage, and his first play “Love in Several Masques” was once a excellent success with the public. The equal year he entered the philological school of the University at Leyden (a Dutch city), but he had to go away his research because he used to be unable to pay his prices.From 1728 until 1738 25 performs had been written by means of Fielding. In his fine comedies “A Judge Caught in his Own Trap”(1730), “Don Quixote in Eng-land” (1734), and “Pasquin” (1736) he mercilessly exposed the English court docket of law, the parliamentary system, the corruption of state officials and religion. But the censorship of the stage put an stop to Fielding’s profession as a dramatist. The creator had to earn his residing through some capacity and he tried his pen as a novelist. Besides, at the age of thirty he grew to be a pupil of a University law faculty. On graduating, he grew to become a barrister and in 1748 accepted the publish of magistrate. This work enlarged his experience. Being unable to do away with social evils, he uncovered them in his books. Apart from the intent of satire, he is attracted, in a realized way, by way of the contrasts between the novel, with its image of humble, modern-day life, and the classical epic. With this in thinking he calls his novel “a comedian epic in prose”, and it leads him, with encouragement from Cervantes, to introduce a burlesque component into the style and frequently into the incident; 2) “The Life of Mr. Jonathan Wild the Great” (1743), the intent of satire totally dominated his 2nd narrative, in which he took the existence of a thief and receiver, who had been hanged, as a theme for demonstrating the small division between a first-rate rogue and a extraordinary soldier, or a incredible politician; 3) “The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling” (1749) – Nothing in his work compares with this great novel, so cautiously deliberate and carried out that even though the important theme follows Tom Jones’s life from childhood onwards, the reader is saved in suspense until the close as to the ultimate decision of the action; and “Amelia” (1752), his remaining novel and is much less even in its success. He idealizes the fundamental lady character, and this leads to an excess of pathos, which deprives the novel of the balance possessed be “Tom Jones”. Fielding possessed characteristics not often discovered together; a rich imagination, outstanding vital energy and eager know-how of the human heart. He used to say that the three critical qualities in a novelist are genius, learning, and experience of human nature. His characters are all-round dwelling being of flesh and blood, a aggregate of contradictions of properly and bad. The virtues he appreciates greatest are courage, frankness and generosity. The most detestable vices for him are selfishness and hypocrisy. All these determined its expression in Fielding’s masterpiece “The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling”. In this novel he has drawn one of the excellent human characters of the English literature. The novel consists of eighteen books, every starting with an introductory chapter where the author discourses with the reader, in a free effortless manner, on positive ethical and psychological themes. The plot of the novel is very complicated; its building is carefully worked out, each element being significant. Depicting England of the 18th century, Fielding touches upon all spheres of life. He shows the courts of law, the prison, the church, the properties of people of all classes, motels and highways, even the theatre. Many people of one-of-a-kind social ranks and professions are introduced. The attraction of the book lies in the depiction of Tom’s character. He is a full-blooded human being, neither idealized nor ridiculed. His open, generous and passionate nature leads him into a long collection of adventures. Tom acts on impulse sometimes well and occasionally ill, but by no means from interested motives. He is light-minded and naive, however kind, honest and unselfish, continually geared up to assist every body who wishes his assistance. His intentions are noble and good, however he is simple-hearted. That’s why he regularly falls a victim to prejudice and he is constantly accused of vices he is not responsible of. In his ’’The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling” Fielding has taken an regular young man. Tom’s parentage is unknown and he had been left as a foundling on the doorstep of squire Allworthy. As a count of fact, he is illegitimate child of Allworthy’s sister but this is not revealed till the end of the story. Allworthy is a guardian of any other nephew too and the uncle rears the two together. Tom is an open hearted kind who continually falls into trouble. Blifil has hypocritic nature. He constantly tells on Tom and poisons his uncle’s thinking against him. Tom falls out of Squire Allworthy’s favour as a result of one of his lapses (slight errors), a love affair with Molly Seagrim, a gamekeeper’s daughter. Squire sends Tom away. Tom sets out on his travels, accompanied by using the schoolmaster Partridge, a simple lovable creature, and meets with many adventures on the avenue after he leaves home. Finally, Tom is observed to be the son of Allworthy’s sister, Blifil’s treachery via the years comes to light. Tom is fortunately united to the beautiful Sophia Western, daughter of a united states squire. All ends happily.