In Our Time: Fielding's Tom Jones

Host: Melvyn Bragg
Guests: Henry Power, Charlotte Roberts, Judith Hawley
Release Date: July 11, 2024

Introduction to "Tom Jones" and Henry Fielding

Opening the episode, Henry Power introduces Tom Jones by Henry Fielding as one of the most influential early English novels, celebrated by literary giants like Dickens and Coleridge. Described as both a page-turner of its time and a timeless classic, Tom Jones blends the tightness of a farce with the grandeur of a Greek epic, all conveyed through Fielding's masterful storytelling.

Henry Power [00:05]: "Tom Jones has the tightness of a farce and the ambition of a Greek epic as told by the finest raconteur."

Henry Fielding's Background and Early Life

Judith Hawley delves into Fielding’s childhood, highlighting parallels between his life and the novel’s protagonist. Born in 1707 into a seemingly privileged family, Fielding's father was a gambler and heavy drinker, leading to familial strife and court cases that marred his upbringing. These turbulent early experiences shaped Fielding's complex views on morality and humanity, elements deeply embedded in Tom Jones.

Judith Hawley [01:16]: "Fielding had a very wild childhood... he eloped with a 15-year-old heiress until that was broken up."

The Censorship Act and Fielding's Early Works

The conversation shifts to Fielding's early career in the theatre, where his satirical and politically charged plays led to the enactment of the Theatrical Licensing Act of 1737. This legislation imposed stringent censorship, effectively curtailing Fielding's success in the theatre and prompting him to pivot towards law and novel-writing.

Judith Hawley [03:34]: "His plays were very controversial... leading to the Theatrical Licensing Act of 1737."

Response to Samuel Richardson's "Pamela"

Charlotte Roberts explores Fielding’s literary response to Samuel Richardson’s Pamela. Disliking the novel’s depiction of female chastity as transactional, Fielding crafted his own work, Shamela, which subverts Richardson’s themes by portraying the heroine as manipulative and sexually assertive.

Charlotte Roberts [04:50]: "Shamela sets out to lure Mr. Booby into a trap, contrasting Pamela’s virtuous resistance."

Plot Overview of "Tom Jones"

Henry Power provides a comprehensive overview of Tom Jones, outlining its tripartite structure:

1. Early Life and Misadventures: Tom is discovered as a foundling by Squire Allworthy and grows up with a penchant for getting into trouble, driven by his good nature despite societal perceptions of him as a rake.

2. Love and Separation: Tom falls in love with Sophia Weston, but due to his lack of status, her father arranges her marriage to Blifil. Manipulations lead to Tom’s expulsion from Allworthy’s estate.

3. Adventures and Resolution: Tom’s journey to London in pursuit of Sophia involves numerous encounters that test his character and lead to revelations about his origins.

Henry Power [09:14]: "Tom Jones grows up and he's always getting into trouble... but fundamentally, he is a benevolent person."

Exploration of Themes

Sexuality

Charlotte Roberts emphasizes Fielding’s candid exploration of sexuality, portraying it as a natural and unashamed aspect of human nature for both men and women.

Charlotte Roberts [07:22]: "Fielding is interested in sexuality... not as a thing to be ashamed of."

Narrative Style and Epics

The novel’s narrative voice, often shifting in tone and directly addressing the reader, serves as a parody and homage to classical epics. Fielding’s Tom Jones is likened to an "epic in prose," incorporating elements of the Greek epic tradition while infusing it with 18th-century sensibilities.

Charlotte Roberts [16:27]: "Tom Jones is a development of this idea... a comic epic poem in prose."

Epic Structure and Human Nature

The discussion highlights the novel’s attempt to capture the complexities of human nature through its extensive and symmetrical structure, aligning Tom's personal quest with broader societal observations.

Judith Hawley [13:44]: "Thinking about Fielding in Tom Jones as a historian who leaves..."

Character Analysis

Tom Jones

Judith Hawley discusses Tom as a multi-faceted character who embodies both virtue and flawed human appetites, navigating societal judgments with inherent goodness.

Judith Hawley [14:03]: "Tom is a rather hard boy to pin down... he's always good natured and good hearted."

Allworthy and Blifil

Allworthy, the benevolent squire, contrasts with his nephew Blifil, whose outward piety masks malicious intent. Judith highlights Allworthy’s well-meaning but flawed judgment, shaped by his inability to perceive underlying hypocrisy.

Judith Hawley [42:18]: "Allworthy... is acting with a blindfold on... making mistakes because people are unknowable."

Sophia Weston

Sophia is portrayed as a woman with significant agency, navigating her desires and societal expectations. The recurring symbol of her muff underscores the complexities of her relationship with Tom.

Charlotte Roberts [33:18]: "Sophia has a muff... symbolizes their relationship and her sexual agency."

Narrative Voice and Structure

Henry Power and Charlotte Roberts discuss the novel’s dominant narrative voice, which frequently interjects personal commentary and mimics various characters’ tones, creating a dynamic and engaging storytelling experience.

Henry Power [20:47]: "The narrator is constantly present... Fielding is a wonderful parodist."

Judith Hawley adds that the narrative incorporates legal language and trial motifs, reflecting Fielding’s background in law and emphasizing the themes of judgment and morality.

Charlotte Roberts [46:38]: "The novel is deeply suffused with legal language... 'litigation' gets used to describe discussions."

Reception and Legacy

The episode covers the novel’s initial success, with multiple editions and substantial readership. Guests discuss its enduring influence on later literary figures like Jane Austen and Charles Dickens, who admired Fielding's narrative techniques and thematic depth.

Charlotte Roberts [51:05]: "Jane Austen... the kind of narratorial voice is a development."

Judith Hawley notes that Tom Jones remains both relevant and entertaining, though certain 18th-century attitudes may not resonate as well with modern readers.

Judith Hawley [40:03]: "It does and it doesn't... certain things don't age well."

Modern Relevance and Readability

Both Charlotte Roberts and Henry Power affirm that Tom Jones maintains its appeal through its humor, engaging plot, and insightful commentary on human nature. Power emphasizes the novel’s message of societal engagement over introspection, while Roberts highlights its spirit of generosity and tolerance.

Henry Power [40:31]: "It's relatable because a lot of its messages... still hold true today."

Charlotte Roberts [40:29]: "It's a fantastically good story... a sense that the world is a good and interesting place."

Bonus Discussion: Deeper Insights

In the bonus segment, Judith Hawley and Charlotte Roberts delve further into characters like Allworthy, exploring his role as a just but flawed magistrate. They discuss the nuanced portrayal of hypocrisy and the challenges of judgment within the novel.

Judith Hawley [42:18]: "Fielding is saying... it's inevitable that you will make mistakes because people are unknowable."

The guests also explore the novel’s handling of taboo subjects like incest, drawing parallels with classical tragedies like Oedipus and highlighting Fielding’s structural playfulness in subverting genre conventions.

Charlotte Roberts [49:24]: "It's a moment of real generic play with the conventions of tragedy."

Influence on Later Literature

The guests trace the influence of Tom Jones on later authors, noting similarities in narrative voice and social critique. Jane Austen's playful and parodic narrative techniques and Dickens's expansive social surveys are both seen as inheritors of Fielding’s legacy.

Judith Hawley [50:51]: "Jane Austen... the kind of narratorial voice is a development."

Charlotte Roberts [52:09]: "Dickens... a similar complex epic."

Conclusion and Future Preview

Melvyn Bragg wraps up the episode by expressing gratitude to the guests and teasing the next topic, which will explore the concept of karma in Indian philosophy.

Melvyn Bragg [54:05]: "The next week, it's karma... the Indian religious and philosophical idea..."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Henry Power [00:05]: "Tom Jones has the tightness of a farce and the ambition of a Greek epic as told by the finest raconteur."

• Judith Hawley [01:16]: "Fielding had a very wild childhood... he eloped with a 15-year-old heiress until that was broken up."

• Charlotte Roberts [04:50]: "Shamela sets out to lure Mr. Booby into a trap, contrasting Pamela’s virtuous resistance."

• Henry Power [09:14]: "Tom Jones grows up and he's always getting into trouble... but fundamentally, he is a benevolent person."

• Henry Power [20:47]: "The narrator is constantly present... Fielding is a wonderful parodist."

• Judith Hawley [42:18]: "Fielding is saying... it's inevitable that you will make mistakes because people are unknowable."

• Charlotte Roberts [49:24]: "It's a moment of real generic play with the conventions of tragedy."

Conclusion

This episode of In Our Time offers an in-depth exploration of Henry Fielding's Tom Jones, dissecting its narrative structure, character complexity, and enduring literary significance. Through insightful discussions, the guests illuminate how Fielding's work bridges the gap between high and low literature, blending humor with profound social commentary. The analysis underscores Tom Jones as a pivotal work that not only shaped the novelistic tradition but continues to resonate with modern audiences.