Summary and Analysis of Joseph Andrews by Henry Fielding

Summary and Analysis of Joseph Andrews by Henry Fielding

Published in 1742, Joseph Andrews is one of Henry Fielding’s important works and an early instance of the English novel. Subtitled The History of the Adventures of Joseph Andrews and His Friend, Mr. Abraham Adams, it combines a picaresque narrative with satirical commentary on society, morality, and human nature. Initially written as a parody of Samuel Richardson’s Pamela, the novel evolves into a broader exploration of virtue, hypocrisy, and charity.

Summary

1. Introduction and Background

The novel opens with the backstory of Joseph Andrews, a handsome, virtuous young footman in the service of Lady Booby. Joseph is the brother of Pamela Andrews, the protagonist of Richardson's Pamela. Lady Booby, a wealthy and morally dubious aristocrat, becomes infatuated with Joseph. When he resists her advances, maintaining his virtue, she dismisses him from her service.

2. Joseph's Journey Home

3. Introduction of Parson Adams

Adams Joseph is quickly joined by Parson Abraham Adams, a compassionate and idealistic preacher who becomes his devoted companion. Adams, noted for his absentmindedness and naiveté, brings humor and depth to the story. They start on a voyage full with misadventures, intellectual talks, and moral teachings.

4. Fanny and the Love Story

Joseph is reunited with Fanny Goodwill, and their love story serves as the emotional core of the novel. Despite their virtuous intentions, societal obstacles and misfortunes continually test their resolve.

• Fanny's Kidnapping: Fanny is abducted by a lustful squire but is rescued by Joseph and Adams. This incident underscores Fielding’s critique of the exploitation of women and the lack of accountability for the wealthy.

• Obstacles to Marriage: Joseph and Fanny's plans to marry are repeatedly delayed by misunderstandings, legal complications, and class prejudices.

5. Satire of the Gentry

Fielding uses figures like Lady Booby and her attendant Mrs. Slipslop to parody the upper classes. When Lady Booby finds out that Joseph intends to wed Fanny, she becomes envious and plots to stop the marriage. Her actions reveal the aristocracy's hypocrisy and selfishness.

6. The Revelation and Resolution

The novel's climax occurs when it is revealed that Joseph is not, as previously supposed, of low birth. He is shown to be the legitimate son of Mr. Wilson, a father who abandoned him as a toddler. This revelation breaks down the class barrier to Joseph and Fanny's marriage. However, Fanny's birth is called into question, casting doubt on their relationship for a short time. Finally, it is determined that Joseph and Fanny are not blood relations, paving the path for their marriage. The tale concludes on a happy note, honoring virtue, real love, and the triumph of morals over selfishness.

Analysis

1. Themes

1. Virtue and Morality:

   • Joseph’s steadfast virtue in the face of temptation mirrors the moral dilemmas faced by his sister, Pamela. However, Fielding’s treatment of virtue is less rigid than Richardson’s, emphasizing compassion, charity, and forgiveness over strict adherence to moral codes.
   • Fanny embodies idealized female virtue, serving as a counterpart to Joseph.

2. Hypocrisy and Corruption:

   • Fielding critiques the hypocrisy of society, particularly among the clergy, aristocracy, and gentry. Characters like Lady Booby and Mrs. Slipslop demonstrate how power and privilege often corrupt morality.
   • The novel contrasts false piety with genuine virtue, exemplified by Parson Adams and the compassionate common folk.

3. Charity and Compassion:

   • True charity, as depicted through characters like Adams and the coachman, is presented as an essential human virtue. Fielding contrasts this with the selfishness and superficial generosity of wealthier characters.

4. Class and Social Critique:

   • Fielding challenges the rigid class structure of 18th-century England by emphasizing the inherent worth of individuals like Joseph and Fanny, regardless of their social status.

5. The Role of Fate:

   • The frequent coincidences and revelations in the novel reflect a larger commentary on the unpredictability of life and the workings of Providence.

2. Character Analysis

1. Joseph Andrews:

   • Joseph is a paragon of virtue, representing moral fortitude and loyalty. Despite his flaws—such as occasional impulsiveness—his commitment to Fanny and his moral values remains steadfast.

2. Parson Adams:

   • Adams is the heart of the novel, embodying Fielding’s ideal of Christian charity and morality. His naivety and absentmindedness provide comic relief, while his integrity highlights the novel’s moral core.

3. Fanny Goodwill:

   • Fanny is an archetype of female virtue, serving as a foil to the lustful and manipulative women in the novel. Her love for Joseph is sincere and unwavering.

4. Lady Booby:

   • Lady Booby symbolizes the moral corruption of the aristocracy. Her jealousy and manipulative behavior highlight the selfishness and hypocrisy of those in power.

5. Mrs. Slipslop:

   • As a comic figure, Mrs. Slipslop parodies the pretensions of the lower classes who aspire to emulate their social superiors.

3. Satirical Elements

Fielding employs comedy and sarcasm to highlight society faults. He criticizes a variety of institutions, including the church, the legal system, and the nobility. The exaggerated behavior of characters such as Lady Booby and Mrs. Slipslop highlights the ridiculousness of social pretensions and the elite's lack of true morality.

4. Narrative Style

Fielding uses a third-person omniscient narrator who regularly breaches the fourth wall and addresses the reader directly. This strategy enables Fielding to remark on the events of the story, convey philosophical insights, and criticize literary norms of his period.

Conclusion and Legacy

Joseph Andrews is a pioneering novel that combines humor, satire, and moral examination. By parodying Pamela and combining picaresque elements, Fielding develops a highly complex narrative that criticizes conventional rules while extolling compassion, charity, and love. The novel's continuing appeal stems from its humor, unique characters, and ageless analysis of human nature. Joseph Andrews' work is not only a watershed moment in the evolution of the English novel, but it also continues to entertain and provoke discussion centuries after it was published.