History of Tom Jones, a Foundling
The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling follows the life of a high-spirited young man discovered as an infant on the estate of the kindly Squire Allworthy, who raises him as his own. As Tom grows, his generous but impulsive nature repeatedly lands him in trouble, especially against the scheming of his rival, the hypocritical Master Blifil. When Tom falls in love with Sophia Western, the spirited daughter of a neighboring squire, his indiscretions and misjudgments see him cast out from home, sending him on a sprawling journey across England filled with comic mishaps, mistaken identities, and chance encounters before his true origins are revealed.
Fielding's sweeping comic epic is a landmark in the development of the English novel, celebrated for its intricate plotting and its warm, ironic narrator who openly addresses the reader. Beneath the bawdy adventures lies a serious moral argument: that genuine goodness of heart matters more than outward respectability or rigid virtue. By contrasting Tom's flawed sincerity with the prudence and hypocrisy around him, the novel offers a generous, humane vision of human nature that has kept it beloved for centuries.
How it begins
BOOK I. — CONTAINING AS MUCH OF THE BIRTH OF THE FOUNDLING AS IS NECESSARY OR PROPER TO ACQUAINT THE READER WITH IN THE BEGINNING OF THIS HISTORY. Chapter i. — The introduction to the work, or bill of fare to the feast. Chapter ii. — A short description of squire Allworthy, and a fuller account of Miss Bridget Allworthy, his sister. Chapter iii. — An odd accident which befel Mr Allworthy at his return home. The decent behaviour of Mrs Deborah Wilkins, with some proper animadversions on bastards. Chapter iv. — The reader's neck brought into danger by a description; his escape; and the great condescension of Miss Bridget Allworthy. Chapter v. — Containing a few common matters, with a very uncommon observation upon them. Chapter vi. — Mrs Deborah is introduced into the parish with a simile. A short account of Jenny Jones, with the difficulties and discouragements which may attend young women in the pursuit of learning. Chapter vii. — Containing such grave matter, that the reader cannot laugh once through the whole chapter, unless peradventure he should laugh at the author. Chapter viii. — A dialogue between Mesdames Bridget and Deborah; containing more amusement, but less instruction, than the former. Chapter ix. — Containing matters which will surprize the reader. Chapter x.
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain.