Henry Fielding (1707-1754)

Henry Fielding and Samuel Richardson epitomize the 18th century novel. 

Richardson:

• attempts to promote public morality through depiction of archetypically virtuous and villainous men and women
• sober

Fielding

• portrays a world of mixed morality, in which right and wrong are not always clear
• cavalier and hilarious

Shamela and Joseph Andrews

• stimulated by his disapproval of the moral and social implications of Richardson's Pamela or Virtue Rewarded and its critical and clerical over-praising
• Fielding turns Pamela into Shamela, whose amoral manipulation of Mr. Booby into marriage and cuckoldry are revealed in her semi-literate letters, which are sent by a sensible clergyman to one of the clerical fools who, moved in part by its pornographic tendencies, had cried "Pamela" up as an ultimate guide to morality
• Joseph Andrews is the servant-class brother of Pamela who resists losing his virginity out of wedlock
• title for Pamela comes from Sidney's "Arcadia"

The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling

• title character is a handsome, brave, generous young man of uncertain parentage and hearty appetites and remains faithful to his beloved in spirit, if not in flesh
• the author openly mocks the moral rigidity of fashionable writers and critics while simultaneously acknowledging the frailities of his characters and celebrating their good natures
• characters:
• Tom Jones
• Sophia Western
• Blifil
• Squire Allworthy
• Lady Bridget

Famous opening words:

The introduction to the work, or bill of fare to the feast.

An author ought to consider himself, not as a gentleman who gives a private or eleemosynary treat, but rather as one who keeps a public ordinary, at which all persons are welcome for their money. In the former case, it is well known that the entertainer provides what fare he pleases; and though this should be very indifferent, and utterly disagreeable to the taste of his company, they must not find any fault; nay, on the contrary, good breeding forces them outwardly to approve and to commend whatever is set before them. Now the contrary of this happens to the master of an ordinary. Men who pay for what they eat will insist on gratifying their palates, however nice and whimsical these may prove; and if everything is not agreeable to their taste, will challenge a right to censure, to abuse, and to d--n their dinner without control.