JOSEPH ANDREWS

Introduction:
Henry Fielding is one of the greatest novelists in English literature. He is unconditionally
considered as one of the chief begetters of the modernist movement in novel and as a master
who embodied in realistic prose and a panoramic survey of the contemporary society. Henry
disagrees with the idea of Richardsons Pamela. He believes that the one who is a gentleman
may not be a virtuous one. According to him fame and gentility in the society is not a
certificate of virtue and vitality of ones character. In the first chapter of Book I Henry
mentioned the biographies of Pamela and Colly Cibber in an ironic tone. The writings of
Henry Fielding exerted a major influence on the succeeding writers and dominated the
English fiction until the end of the 19th century.
Fieldings brilliant tour de force Joseph Andrews is an astounding encapsulation of the 18th
century English social life and manners. It mirrors with rare force and realism, the blemishes
of mankind in its true face. The novel, in its entirety, is an impassioned satire on the moral
and social ills that beset the 18th century English society. In this novel we are confronted
with a chameleonic society that frequently changes its appearance to gratify personal lusts of
various kinds. The novel depicts human beings camouflaged in various shades of vanity,
hypocrisy and narcissism. Here, Fielding essentially becomes a spokesman of his age and
seeks to come out strongly against the affected behavior of the so-called respectable society
of the day.
Joseph Andrews is a fine social document that represents an inclusive picture of the 18the
century English society. The novel directs its satire not only against particular individuals but
also against the follies and vices of the entire society.

The society that Fielding portrays in Joseph Andrews is extremely inhuman, callous,
indifferent, uncharitable and narcissistic. The insensitive hardness of this society is clearly
exposed in the stagecoach episode. The passengers, who are unwilling to allow Joseph into
the coach on various excuses, show up their selfish and affected/artificial mentality. At that
time Joseph was in a pitiable condition; he was badly wounded and was almost naked. So, he
was badly in need of sympathy or help from others. Some passengers show some sympathy
for him but decline to spare him a garment to cover his naked body. The only person who
shows some genuine heartfelt sympathy is the poor coachman, who offers his own coat to the
wretched fellow. Here Fielding shows the contrast between the attitude of the rich passengers
and that of the poor coachman. Fielding tries to show us that there is a greater spirit of charity
in the poor than in the rich. The incident gives ample scope to Fielding for satirising the
pretences and affectations of an essentially inhuman society.

Book I:
Book I of Joseph Andrews gives us an introduction to Joseph and his parentage and his first
meeting with a parson Abraham Adams. Also it gives us an account of Josephs life in
London and Lady Boobys attempt to seduce Joseph. Joseph refuses and gets a dismissal
from the job. Also it introduces the character of Mrs. Slipslop, the chambermaid. It also
contains a letter of Joseph to her sister Pamela. Fanny, the love of Joseph is also introduced in
this book. Joseph starts a journey to Lady Boobys country estate. While in the journey
Joseph is robbed, stripped and beaten. He is taken to Tow-wouse Inn. There Lady Betty
meets him. She also wants Joseph as her lover.
The tale of the adventures of Joseph is a complete social document as described in the above
few lines. The three main characters of the novel are Joseph, Lady Booby and Abraham
Adams.
Let me analyze their character in the novel.
Characters Analysis:
Joseph Andrews:
He is believed to be the son of Mr. Gaffer Andrews and Mrs. Gamer Andrews. At the age of
ten he becomes a servant in Sir Thomas Booby's household. When he is seventeen, Lady
Boob feels attracted by his physical appearance and his personal charm, but he rejects her
amorous advances just as his sister Pamela had rejected the amorous advances of her
employer, Squire Booby. Dismissed from his service by Lady Booby, Joseph undertakes to
return to his country seat in order to meet Fanny, a girl with whom he had fallen in love and
who had been reciprocating his love. In the course of this journey he meets many adventures
but ultimately arrives safely at his destination. It is then discovered that he is the son of a
gentleman of the name of Mr. Wilson, from whose house he had been stolen as a little child
by the gypsies who had put him in the cradle in the house of Mr. and Mrs. Andrews whose
little daughter, Fanny, they had taken away. Eventually Joseph is united with Fanny in
wedlock.

Lady Booby:
She is the wife of Sir Thomas Booby who owns a large country estate in Somersetshire. Sir
Thomas Booby is the man who had bought a little girl by the name Fanny, when she was only
a
child of two or three years; from a travelling woman. He had then brought up the little girl as
a servant in his household. When Joseph is ten years old, he is employed by Sir Thomas
Booby and he serves the family in various capacities, eventually becoming Lady Booby's
personal attendant. Sir Thomas Booby dies after the boy Joseph has served the Booby family
for about seven years. Lady Booby, now a widow, feels greatly attracted by Joseph's physical
appearance, his general behaviour, and his personal charm. She makes amorous advances to
him but fails to evoke any response from him. In her frustration she dismisses him from her
service but she cannot entirely forget him. Subsequently she makes another effort to win him
as her lover but she fails again. Ultimately she goes away to London where she forgets
Joseph in the midst of the gaiety of the big city, and where she finds a lover after all.


Abraham Adams:
He is a curate in the parish where Lady Booby has her mansion. He is a true Christian and he
keeps preaching the Christian values to everybody whom he happens to meet. However, he is
too simple-minded, and he often becomes a target of ridicule. We find him in many comic
predicaments chiefly because of his forgetfulness and absent-mindedness. He proves to be a
true friend to Joseph and comes to Joseph's rescue several times in the course of the story. He
also rescues Fanny from being ravished by a villain. He does not yield to anyone where
principles are concerned.

Conclusion:
All these characters show the different traits and social types of 18
th
century London. The
hero Joseph is the statue of virtue and gentility. He is a real gentleman who saves himself by
the seduction of both Lady Booby and Mrs. Slipslop. He is caring, loving and loyal to his
love of life, Fanny everywhere. There is no bagginess in his character. As the story reveals
Lady Boobys temptation towards Joseph and his innocent rejection of her advances provides
the excuse for setting him on the highway. Then later on in the novel Mrs. Slipslop and Betty
also tried to seduce him but they too get nothing. All this is because of his strong character
and principles of life.
Lady Booby is considered as a type of dissolute lady. She is sensual and deeply attracted to
the young Josephs good looks and healthy vigor. She makes him his footman. Josephs
refusal makes her extremely annoyed. So, she dismisses him from the job. In societal terms
Lady Booby is considered as a very gentle and noble lady but inside her territory she seduces
her footman after her husbands death. This shows the concept of Fielding that fame and
gentility is not the certificate of virtue.
Abraham Adams is a poor curate of moderate means but model ideals. He takes his duties
seriously. He is a friend of Joseph. He is a man of classical learning and vast book-
knowledge. He helps Joseph in acquiring knowledge. He is very nice man.
Fielding's portrayal of the English social life is reinforced by the large canvas of
representatives selected from every facets of society. The study of different characters
enabled the writer to explore all the unpleasant aspects of life of his time.