Henry Fielding

"Siempre he creído en el amor como el único fundamento de la felicidad en el matrimonio, y mi opiniónes que todos los matrimonios que obedecen a otros motivos son un auténtico crimen."De esta manera condena Fielding la mayoria de enlaces de su epoca, cuando lo mas comun era casarse para obtener beneficios economicos o una mas alta posicion social. En todas sus novelas trata Fielding el tema de la virtud y la constancia en el amor, pero la peculiaridad de"Amelia"en relacion a las anteriores ("Tom Jones"y"Joseph Andrews") es que aqui ya no se aborda el problema de la tentacion del soltero enamorado sino el de las tentaciones a las que se ven sometidas dos personas que, por amor, han contraido matrimonio.Henry Fielding, junto a su contemporaneo Samuel Richardson, establecio la novela como genero dentro de la litetura britanica."Amelia", escrito en 1751, ultimo de los trabajos narrativos de Fielding, se adelanta a lo que sera la gran novela inglesa del siglo XIX.

The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling - Henry Fielding - One of the cleverest and funniest novels ever written, Tom Jones is Henry Fieldings greatest achievement. Tom Jones, born a foundling, grown into a gallant and irresistible hero, romps through the English countryside getting himself into all kinds of trouble through his good nature and eye for the ladies. Betrayed by jealous relatives, Tom is exiled from home and must undergo a variety of trials and adventures in his quest to be reunited with his one true love and redeem himself in the eyes of society.

Joseph Andrews es un libro que ha de leerse como quien escucha m#sica y al escucharla busca no tanto dejarse arrastrar por la armon#a de los sonidos como percibir con la mente el dise#o total que da forma a la composici#n. Esta novela refleja la vida, introduce la Inglaterra del siglo XVIII y nos descubre el mundo creado por Fielding. De la f#rmula poema #pico-c#mico en prosa que Fielding (1707-1754) elige para encuadrar Joseph Andrews dentro de la tradici#n literaria cl#sica, el elemento m#s significativo es sin duda el adjetivo c#mico. A partir de la figura de Don Quijote y con la creaci#n del vicario Adams, Fielding consigue mantener el afecto de los lectores hacia el personaje, a pesar de su absurdo comportamiento, gracias a las virtudes que lo adornan. El autor no hace el menor esfuerzo por pasar inadvertido: no nos ofrece el placer de la simulaci#n de la realidad, sino el espect#culo del arte y de la inteligencia es fruct#fera conjunci#n. Quiz# lo m#s destacable de Joseph Andrews sea la presencia de ese narrador que se muestra alternativamente ir#nico y moralista, que jam#s se identifica plenamente con ninguno de los puntos de vista que expone y que se obstina en su independencia sin concedernos otra segurid

The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling by Henry Fielding often known simply as Tom Jones, is a comic novel by English playwright and novelist Henry Fielding. It is a Bildungsroman and a picaresque novel. It was first published on 28 February 1749 in London and is among the earliest English works to be classified as a novel. It is the earliest novel mentioned by W. Somerset Maugham in his 1948 book Great Novelists and Their Novels among the ten best novels of the world.The novel is highly organised despite its length. Samuel Taylor Coleridge argued that it has one of the "three most perfect plots ever planned", alongside Oedipus Tyrannus and The Alchemist. It became a best seller with four editions published in its first year alone. It is generally regarded as Fieldings greatest book and as an influential English novel.The novels events occupy eighteen books. It opens with the narrator stating that the purpose of the novel will be to explore "human nature".The kindly and wealthy Squire Allworthy and his sister Bridget are introduced in their wealthy estate in Somerset. Allworthy returns from London after an extended business trip and finds an abandoned baby sleeping in his bed.He summons his housekeeper, Mrs Deborah Wilkins, to take care of the child. After searching the nearby village Mrs Wilkins is told about a young woman called Jenny Jones, a servant of a schoolmaster and his wife, as the most likely person to have committed the deed.Jenny is brought before the Allworthys and admits being the one who put the baby in the bed, but she refuses to reveal the fathers identity. Mr Allworthy mercifully removes Jenny to a place where her reputation will be unknown and tells his sister to raise the boy, whom he names Thomas, in his household.

In "An Apology for the Life of Mrs. Shamela Andrews," Henry Fielding delivers a sharp and satirical response to Samuel Richardsons "Pamela," reframing the narrative through the lens of Shamela, a clever and manipulative heroine. Fieldings literary style combines wit, irony, and humor as he critiques societal norms and the conventions of the sentimental novel. The text extends beyond mere parody; it serves as a commentary on class, gender, and the complexities of virtue in an increasingly commercialized society. By employing the epistolary format, Fielding adeptly contrasts Shamelas self-serving motivations with the perceived virtues of Pamela, challenging the reader to reconsider conventional morality and the nature of authentic virtue. Henry Fielding, a formidable figure in the 18th-century English literary scene, was not only a novelist but also a playwright and a social critic. His experiences in addressing the complexities of human nature and societal hypocrisy in his works reflect his own turbulent life, marked by financial struggles and an acute awareness of morality. This rich background equipped Fielding with a critical lens through which to view Richardsons romantic ideals, elevating his narrative to a position of both entertainment and introspection. This book is highly recommended for readers interested in the evolution of the novel genre, satire, and the interplay between societal expectations and individual agency. Fieldings incisive wit and shrewd observations make this work an essential read for anyone looking to delve into the complexities of early 18th-century literature and its lasting impact on contemporary narratives.

In Henry Fieldings novel Joseph Andrews, readers are taken on a satirical journey through 18th century England, exploring themes of class, morality, and human nature. Written in the style of a picaresque novel, Fielding employs humor and wit to critique the social norms of his time. The novel is filled with vibrant and eccentric characters, engaging the reader in a rollicking adventure full of satire and irony. Fieldings use of metafictional elements adds another layer of complexity to the narrative, making Joseph Andrews a rich and thought-provoking read. Henry Fielding, a prominent English novelist and playwright, drew inspiration from his own experiences in law and politics to craft this timeless work. His keen observation of society and human behavior shines through in the vivid and detailed portrayal of his characters. Recommended for readers interested in classic literature, satire, and social commentary, Joseph Andrews offers a delightful and insightful examination of 18th century England.

''Kissing, Joseph, is but a prologue to a Play. Can I believe a young fellow of your Age and Complexion will be content with Kissing?''Henry Fielding''s riotous tale of innocents in a corrupt world was one of the earliest English novels, blending bawdy slapstick, philosophical musing and pointed social satire to create a work of moral complexity and generous, life-affirming humanity. Published in 1742, it tells the story of the chaste servant Joseph Andrews who, after being sacked for spurning the advances of the lascivious Lady Booby, takes to the road, accompanied by his beloved Fanny Goodwill and the absent-minded, much put-upon Parson Adams. There they encounter robbers, tricksters, seducers, mishaps and strange twists of fortune, in a series of adventures filled with exuberant comedy.The Penguin English Library - 100 editions of the best fiction in English, from the eighteenth century and the very first novels to the beginning of the First World War.

Joseph Andrews, or The History of the Adventures of Joseph Andrews and of his Friend Mr. Abraham Adams, tells of a good-natured footmans adventures on the road home from London with his friend and mentor, the absent-minded parson Abraham Adams. As a young man, Joseph is employed by a young widow Lady Bobby as her footman. Joseph escorts Lady Bobby to London where he refuses her attempts at seduction because of his love for poor Fanny Goodwill, so Lady Bobby dismisses him from both his job and his lodgings. Joseph sets out from London to go back home and to his beloved Fanny, but gets mugged. On his way Joseph meets their local parson and mentor Abraham Adams and the two continue the journey together with many trials and tribulations ahead.

In "Covent-Garden Journal," Henry Fielding deftly combines sharp wit and keen social observation to illuminate the vibrant, often chaotic milieu of 18th-century London. This periodical, originally published in 1752, captures the essence of Covent Garden as a hub of theatrical and cultural activity. Through essays, satirical commentary, and engaging anecdotes, Fielding critiques societal norms, politics, and the theatrical world itself, showcasing his unique blend of realism and humor that echoes the emerging literary style of the time. His prose reflects the burgeoning literary movement towards a more accessible and popular form of writing, which resonates with contemporary audiences. Henry Fielding, a pivotal figure in the development of the English novel, drew upon his experiences as a playwright and a magistrate to inform his narratives. His deep understanding of human nature and societal dynamics, tempered by personal encounters with the corruption of his time, imbue "Covent-Garden Journal" with authenticity and depth. Driven by a desire to improve public morals through comedy and reflection, Fieldings work serves as both entertainment and moral commentary. "Covent-Garden Journal" is a remarkable exploration of early modern urban life, rich with humor and insight, making it essential reading for anyone interested in the interplay between literature and society. Fieldings masterful prose and engaging narratives invite readers to reflect on the complexities of human behavior, making this journal not only enjoyable but profoundly thought-provoking.

A foundling of mysterious parentage brought up by Mr. Allworthy on his country estate, Tom Jones is deeply in love with the seemingly unattainable Sophia Western, the beautiful daughter of the neighboring squirethough he sometimes succumbs to the charms of the local girls. When Tom is banished to make his own fortune and Sophia follows him to London to escape an arranged marriage, the adventure begins. A vivid Hogarthian panorama of eighteenth-century life, spiced with danger and intrigue, bawdy exuberance and good-natured authorial interjections, Tom Jones is one of the greatest and most ambitious comic novels in English literature.

Thomas Keymer is a 2011 Fellow of The Royal Society of Canada.''I beg as soon as you get Fielding''s Joseph Andrews, I fear in Ridicule of your Pamela and of Virtue in the Notion of Don Quixote''s Manner, you would send it to me by the very first Coach.''(George Cheyne in a letter to Samuel Richardson, February 1742)Both Joseph Andrews (1742) and Shamela (1741) were prompted by the success of Richardson''s Pamela (1740), of which Shamela is a splendidly bawdy parody. But in Shamela Fielding also demonstrates his concern for the corruption of contemporary society, politics, religion, morality, and taste. The same themes - together with a presentation of love as charity, as friendship, and in its sexual taste - are present in Joseph Andrews, Fielding''s first novel. It is a work of considerable literary sophistication and satirical verve, but its appeal lies also in its spirit of comic affirmation, epitomized in the celebrated character of Parson Adams.This revised and expanded edition follows the text of Joseph Andrews established by Martin C. Battestin for the definitive Wesleyan Edition of Fielding''s works. The text of Shamela is based on the first edition, and two substantial appendices reprint the preliminary matter from Conyers Middleton''s Life of Cicero and the second edition of Richardson''s Pamela (both closely parodied in Shamela). A new introduction by Thomas Keymer situates Fielding''s works in their critical and historical contexts.

Henry Fieldings most famous novel, The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling, is packed with humour, romance, and mischief. The eponymous hero is discovered as a baby on the doorstep of the rich Mr Allworthy. Allworthy takes Jones in to raise and educate him. However, young Tom is a lustful creature and prone to the pleasures of the flesh. With various dalliances under his belt, Jones falls in love with the beautiful Sophia Western. Can he throw aside his Bacchanalian pursuits or is love something hell never attain? Bawdy, funny, and riddled with historical detail, The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling is one of the most important books in literary history.

TOM JONES

In the bustling streets of 18th-century London, a sinister shadow looms. Robberies are on the rise, leaving citizens in a state of fear and uncertainty. Henry Fielding, a renowned magistrate and author, embarks on a meticulous investigation to uncover the root causes of this alarming surge in crime.Through his incisive observations and meticulous research, Fielding delves into the depths of society, exposing the social and economic factors that have fueled this epidemic. From the plight of the poor and desperate to the corruption within the justice system, Fielding paints a vivid and unsettling portrait of a city on the brink of chaos.