Henry Fielding’s Tom Jones as a Picaresque Novel: ‘comic – epic in prose’

"Heroes, notwithstanding the high Ideas, which by the Means of Flatterers they may entertain of themselves, or the World may conceive of them, have certainly more of Mortal than Divine about them. However elevated their Minds may be, their Bodies at least (which is much the major Part of most) are liable to the worst Infirmities, and subject to the vilest Offices of human Nature. Among these latter the Act of Eating, which hath by several wise Men been considered as extremely mean and derogatory from the Philosophic Dignity, must be in some Measure performed by the greatest Prince, Heroe, or Philosopher upon Earth; nay, sometimes Nature hath been so frolicksome as to exact of these dignified Characters, a much more exorbitant Share of this Office, than she hath obliged those of the lowest Order to perform."- Tom Jones by Henry Fielding

Although Fielding called his novel a ‘comic – epic in prose’, the epithet of ‘picaresque’ would be equally justified. This, of course, does not contradict Fielding’s own claim, for the picaresque is in many ways related to comic epic, the picaresque novel being epical in scope and comic in nature. Generally speaking, the picaresque novel as derived from the Spanish word for ‘rogue’, picaro, is concerned with the life story of a clever and musing adventures who proceeds by tricks and roguery through a series of adventures. The picaresque fiction which had its origin in Greek and Latin word literature as in the case of Odysseus , the hero Homer’s Odyssey who was driven around the known world by the wrath of the god Poseidon just as Tom is driven about England by his fate. Fielding’s great master was the Spanish write Cervantes. Cervantes’ Don Quixote had appeared almost century earlier, and another novel in the same picaresque tradition, The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane by Alain Lesage had appeared about a decade before Fielding’s Tom Jones. A picaresque novel has in addition to a roguish hero, long journeys an episodic structure, and realistic lowlife descriptions.

The fact is Tom himself is a picaresque hero. From the view points of the critics he is the epitome of ‘unheros’. Brought up as a foundling, he indulges in activities which more often than not fall a hair – breadth sort of actual criminality. He is notorious for beating up his mates though this justifiable on the ground of his innate nature. He is one who trespasses into the territory of Square Western in the pursuit of a prey. His adventurous nature also reveals itself in his breaking his arm while trying to prevent Sophia’s accident on a horse. But his voracious sexual appetite would certainly entitle him to the rank of a picaresque hero. Even while being enamored of Sophia, and in spite of her reciprocating his love, Tom is guilty of indulging sexually with the game keeper’s daughter Molly. His subsequent escapade with Mrs. Waters only corroborates his knowish nature.

It is significant that ever barring Tom Jones himself, his confident little Benjamin alias Partridge is a highly amusing character that parallels Saneho Panza in the picaresque Don Quixote. Although Fielding does not state explicitly in Tom Jones as he does in Joseph Andrews that it is written with the Spanish master’s great example in mind it is impossible for the reader to be unconscious of the technical and spiritual relation between the two novels. Little Benjamin is the counterpart of the Don’s squire. Many of their characteristics are one and the same : both are credulous and gallus in the extremes both follow their masters in hope of gain , both are ‘homespun’ both frequently make penetrating comments on the behavior both of their masters and society at large. 

Henry Fielding

The picaresque novel is constantly on the novel. Characters must appear, disappear and reappear. The action must be swiftly – paced and little time must be devoted to reflection upon the events which crowd and jostle one another. With such swiftness, Variety of incidents adds the spice of the novel of the road. Characters such as Allworthy, the Squire, Tom himself, partridge, Jenny Jones, Fitzpatrick and Mrs. Waters keep appearing and reappearing throughout like novel. Partridge reappears as little Benjamin and Mrs. Jones as Mrs. Waters.

Journey and variety of incidents is the staple of the picaresque. The author repeatedly reminds the readers of the parallel journeys of Tom and Sophia of bringing them agonizingly close to a meeting and then separating them again. One of the main themes of the novel is flight and pursuit and twelve of the 18 books in Tom Jones are concerned with this pursuit. If it is Sophia who initially pursues Tom Jones, later it is Tom who pursues Sophia. Mr. Western on his part is also pursuing Sophia. The road to London is lettered, as in Thomas Nash’s picaresque novel The unfortunate Traveler, with experiences and incidents of the most varied kinds. Tom Joins a band of soldiers, has a fight with Ensign Northerton , rescues Mrs. Waters , makes love to her , is woken up by Fitzpatric at the middle of  the night , is amorously pursued by Mrs. Bellaston , is convicted and sentenced to death on the charge of man slaughter , and so on. Rightly has the picaresque novel been called the comedy of manners.

The picaresque novel is essentially an episodic novel, the novel bring a series of heroic adventures which are connected only by the fact that the events happen to the same person. Obviously this is an apt description of  Tom’s journey to London – he moves from the band of soldiers to Hazard hill to up ton Inn to the gypsies to London with one incident having little or no casual relationship to the next. It is interesting to note that several characters are at best only tangentially related to Tom’s story – Harriet Fitzpatrick , the Millers , and the Nightingale. Some scenes like Partridge at the theatre are included for the sheer delightfulness of their humour. Other like lady Hunt’s proposal and the man on the hill can only be referred to as being episodic digressions. 

The picaresque novel is after synonymous with comedy and low comedy at that. Tom Jones is no exception. Certain characters like Squire , Thwackum , Squire western and even Tom Jones himself are the source of great humour. While Squire and Thwackum reveal themselves as charlatans masquerading as philosophers, the hollowing figure of Squire Western certainly belongs to stage comedy. Partridge the immutable Sancho Panza blundering on the most crucial issues of Tom’s life, is likewise a farcical character. The discovery of  Squire in Molly’s closet. Molly’s mock – epic fight the description of the conjugal fraces between Partridge and his wife and the masquerade at Mrs. Bellaston’s party all belong to the genre of farce and farcical humour.

Tom Jones as a Picaresque Novel: A Comic Epic in Prose: Key Points:

1. A picaresque novel is a genre of fiction that tells the story of a roguish hero who travels from place to place, having a series of adventures.
2. The novel is typically episodic, with each adventure being self-contained.
3. The hero is often amoral and unreliable, but he is also often likable and sympathetic.
4. Tom Jones is considered one of the earliest and greatest picaresque novels.
5. The novel is episodic, with each adventure being self-contained.
6. Tom is a likable and sympathetic character, despite his flaws.
7. The novel explores serious themes such as love, justice, and morality.
8. Tom Jones is considered one of the earliest and greatest picaresque novels.
9. The novel is written in a comic and ironic style, and it often satirizes the social conventions of the time. Tom Jones is a complex and well-developed character, and he is considered one of the most memorable heroes in English literature.

Ardhendu De

Ref:

 Henry Fielding’s The history of Tom Jones, a foundling : Fielding, Henry, 1707-1754 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/historyoftomjone0000fiel_s2c4