The following essay about Henry Fielding's novel Tom Jones. The History of a Foundling (1749), deals with the author's contribution to the development of the genre "novel", which had to prove itself as a potentially literary form in the eighteenth century century. By this time, prose fiction had to enforce its claim as a worthy pursuit and the form of the novel had to stand up to the dominant genres of verse and drama. Fielding was one of the first authors, who resolved to write fiction and with his humorous style of writing he revolutionized eighteen-century-literature.
In this context, the function of the narrator plays an important role, for he is responsible for the success of Tom Jones and for many complications of the plot. In the introductory chapters, preceding the individual Books of the novel, he presents himself as a deep thinker, discoursing on the philosophy of writing and foregrounding himself by intrusive comments and self-glorifying statements. What is told, the content of his story, seems to come second and the process of writing is centred as the “real” subject of the text.
Besides the narrator's self-interest, his method of narrative selection causes much confusion, for he is constantly withholding significant information from the reader. In doing so, Fielding is leading his audience knowingly into the wrong direction, forcing it to make its own judgements and interpretations rather than trusting blindly in his guidance. The main function of the “games” the author is playing with his readers, is to strengthen their engagement with the text, forcing them to reconsider previous interpretations and judgements. Thus, the reader's full attention is required throughout the whole novel and he is forced to participate in its progress. As a result, a constant adherence of suspense is guaranteed in all books of Tom Jones, regardless of its length.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Narrator
2.1 Introductory Chapters and Self-Interest of the Narrator
2.1.1 Creating Suspense
2.2 Narrative Selection
2.2.1 Withholding Information
2.3 Narrator-Reader Relationship
3. Plot
3.1 Comic
3.2 Irony
3.3 The Man of the Hill
4. Conclusion
5. Bibliography
Objectives & Core Themes
This paper examines the multifaceted role and functions of the narrator in Henry Fielding's novel "Tom Jones," focusing on how the narrator's intrusive presence, rhetorical strategies, and manipulation of information shape the reader's engagement with the text and the development of the plot.
- The construction of a self-interested and omniscient narrative voice.
- The use of introductory chapters to define the novel as a literary genre.
- The deployment of suspense through narrative selection and the withholding of information.
- The integration of comic, ironic, and epic elements to guide reader interpretation.
- The function of interpolated narratives, such as the story of the "Man of the Hill," as moral analogues.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 Introductory Chapters and Self-Interest of the Narrator
With the introductory chapters, which constitute the first extended body of work in English literature, Fielding creates a completely new fictional form. At first view, his prefatory chapters seem to give an outlook on future events and happenings, but there is more to it than that.
In the introductory essays, the narrator presents himself as a deep thinker, discoursing on the philosophy of writing. He directly addresses the reader in his comments on narrative methods, critics and other subjects of his choosing, including the purposes and the superiority of his story telling. Through self-glorifying statements like this, he introduces himself as a very self-confident and independent writer, who is totally aware of what he is doing. He does not adopt to rules and decides on his own what to present and which style is suitable for his presentation. For his “history”, the narrator calls for the right to make his own rules and he lets the reader know about his decision quite at the beginning:
“[…] I shall not look on myself as accountable to any Court of Critical Jurisdiction whatever: For as I am, in reality, the Founder of a new Province of Writing, so I am at liberty to make what Laws I please therein.” (II, I; 53)
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of Fielding's contribution to the novel genre and establishes the foundational importance of the introductory chapters in "Tom Jones."
2. The Narrator: This section explores the complex persona of the narrator, who combines omniscience with an intrusive, first-person perspective to influence the reader.
2.1 Introductory Chapters and Self-Interest of the Narrator: This chapter analyzes how the narrator utilizes prefatory essays to assert his independence, authority, and creative freedom as a writer.
2.1.1 Creating Suspense: This subsection details how chapter headings and strategic narrative hints are used to maintain reader interest and suspense without revealing the full plot.
2.2 Narrative Selection: This chapter examines the narrator's deliberate choices regarding which information to present and how these choices structure the development of the story.
2.2.1 Withholding Information: This subsection focuses on the narrator's deceptive strategies, showing how hiding significant information forces the reader to rethink their interpretations.
2.3 Narrator-Reader Relationship: This chapter discusses the establishment of a "contract" between the narrator and reader, aiming to build trust while maintaining control over the reader's reactions.
3. Plot: This chapter analyzes the highly structured and orderly construction of the novel's plot, noting the tension between narrative design and the unpredictable nature of fortune.
3.1 Comic: This chapter investigates how comic elements and the minimization of serious events prevent the reader from taking the protagonist's distress too seriously.
3.2 Irony: This chapter highlights the narrator's frequent use of irony to guide the reader toward a deeper understanding of human nature and moral judgment.
3.3 The Man of the Hill: This chapter explores the function of the interpolated tale within the novel, identifying it as a moral analogue that contrasts with the protagonist's worldview.
4. Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the main arguments, concluding that the narrator is the essential force that makes the novel's complex structure function effectively.
5. Bibliography: This section lists the academic sources and secondary literature used to support the analysis of Fielding's work.
Keywords
Henry Fielding, Tom Jones, Narrator, Omniscience, Narrative Selection, Suspense, Irony, Comic Structure, Plot, Reader-Response, Human Nature, Eighteenth-Century Literature, Moral Development, The Man of the Hill, Literary Genre.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic work?
The work investigates the function of the narrator in Henry Fielding’s "Tom Jones," analyzing how his intrusive and omniscient narrative voice shapes the reader’s experience and the novel's structure.
What are the central thematic fields explored?
The core themes include narrative authority, the creation of a reader-narrator relationship, the influence of fortune on plot development, and the use of irony and comic elements to deliver moral lessons.
What is the main objective of this study?
The primary objective is to demonstrate how the narrator’s self-interest, rhetorical misdirection, and specific narrative techniques allow Fielding to control reader responses and ensure the novel remains engaging.
Which scientific method is applied?
The paper employs literary analysis and critical discourse, drawing upon secondary research and scholarly essays to interpret the textual strategies within the novel.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the narrator’s role in introductory chapters, the creation of suspense through withheld information, narrative selection, the comic and ironic aspects of the plot, and the role of interpolated stories.
Which keywords are essential to this analysis?
Key terms include Henry Fielding, Tom Jones, Narrator, Narrative Selection, Suspense, Irony, Comic Structure, Plot, and Reader-Response.
How does the narrator manage the reader's expectations?
The narrator uses direct addresses and "tricks," such as feigning ignorance or intentionally withholding information, to foster a sense of companionship and to force the reader to actively participate in constructing the meaning of the narrative.
Why is the "Man of the Hill" story considered significant?
It acts as a crucial moral analogue that highlights the protagonist's (Tom Jones') optimism compared to the misanthropy of the older character, thereby reinforcing the author's moral message.
Does the narrator's omniscience remain consistent throughout the novel?
The paper argues that the narrator intentionally undermines his own "god-like" authority by adopting an individual, autonomous personality, which serves to make the narrative more dynamic and ironic.
- Quote paper
- Anja Schäfer (Author), 2007, The Function of the Narrator in Henry Fielding's "Tom Jones", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/198255
