(BLOCK-1) (UNIT-7) SOME CRITICAL OPINIONS ON TOM JONES (MEG-201)

1. Do you agree that Tom Jones should be primarily viewed as providing comic pleasure? Discuss.

Tom Jones is a novel by Henry Fielding published in 1749, and it is considered a masterpiece of English literature. The novel tells the story of Tom Jones, a young man of unknown parentage who is brought up by a wealthy landowner. Throughout the novel, Tom experiences a series of adventures and misadventures, including romantic entanglements, duels, and robberies.

While Tom Jones certainly contains many comic elements, it is not accurate to say that it should be primarily viewed as providing comic pleasure. The novel is a complex work that combines elements of comedy, satire, and social commentary.

On one hand, the novel contains many humorous scenes and characters. For example, the character of Squire Western is a comical figure who is obsessed with fox hunting and constantly bickers with his sister over the arranged marriage of his daughter. The character of Partridge, Tom's loyal but foolish servant, also provides comic relief throughout the novel.

On the other hand, Tom Jones also contains many serious themes and issues. The novel deals with issues of morality, class, and social norms, and presents a nuanced critique of the society of the time. Tom Jones himself is a flawed character who must learn to navigate the complexities of society and make moral choices.

Therefore, while Tom Jones does contain many comic elements, it cannot be reduced to a mere source of comic pleasure. The novel is a complex work that presents a nuanced exploration of human nature and society.

2. Critically examine the statement that Fielding is far from a great novelist since he “does not give individuality to his characters.”

The statement that Henry Fielding is not a great novelist because he does not give individuality to his characters is a flawed and oversimplified view of Fielding's work. While it is true that Fielding's characters do not always have the same degree of psychological depth as characters in some other novels, this does not diminish the quality of his work as a novelist.

Fielding was a master of satire and social commentary, and his novels are full of vivid, memorable characters who represent different social types and classes. While his characters may not always have the same psychological depth as characters in novels by authors such as Jane Austen or George Eliot, they are nonetheless complex and multifaceted, and they are often used to make broader points about society and human nature.

For example, the character of Tom Jones himself, while not as psychologically complex as some characters in other novels, is nonetheless a memorable and nuanced character. He is a flawed hero who must navigate the complexities of society and make moral choices, and his character arc is compelling and thought-provoking.

Furthermore, Fielding's use of humor and satire to skewer the hypocrisies and follies of society is one of the defining features of his work. His characters are often exaggerated caricatures of real people, and their flaws and foibles are used to make broader points about the society of the time. This use of satire and social commentary is a key aspect of Fielding's style, and it is what makes his novels enduringly relevant and entertaining.

In conclusion, while it is true that Fielding's characters may not always have the same psychological depth as characters in other novels, this does not diminish the quality of his work as a novelist. Fielding was a master of satire and social commentary, and his novels are full of vivid, memorable characters who represent different social types and classes. His use of humor and satire to skewer the hypocrisies and follies of society is a key aspect of his style, and it is what makes his novels enduringly relevant and entertaining.