The History of the Adventures of Joseph Andrews and of His Friend Mr. Abraham Adams

“It is a trite but true observation, that examples work more forcibly on the mind than precepts: and if this be just in what is odious and blameable, it is more strongly so in what is amiable and praiseworthy.” 

The idea of learning about human nature through observation was a defining element of Augustan-era English literature. The characters in Fielding’s novel are examples for readers to examine and evaluate. Rather than writing out a list of what to do and what to avoid, Fielding instructs through story, so that the reader can learn from observation.

“He was, besides, a man of good sense, good parts, and good nature; but was at the same time as entirely ignorant of the ways of this world as an infant just entered into it could possibly be.”

Abraham Adams is perhaps the most complex and realistic of all the novel’s characters. While he is virtuous and loyal, he is also absent-minded and lacking in worldly wisdom. His ignorance often leads to hilarity while also proving him to be fully human and prone to mistakes.

“‘La!’ says she, in an affected surprise, ‘what am I doing? I have trusted myself with a man alone, naked in bed; suppose you should have any wicked intentions upon my honor, how should I defend myself?’”

Lady Booby’s pretentious virtue is laughable. She affects embarrassment at inviting Joseph to her bedside while pointing out the sensuality of the moment in being naked and alone with him. Her exclamation illustrates the conflict between her desire for Joseph and her desire to maintain society’s standards of propriety.

“The truth is, she was arrived at an age when she thought she might indulge herself in any liberties with a man, without the danger of bringing a third person into the world to betray them.”

Here Fielding declares Mrs. Slipslop’s sexual passion. His wit entertains the reader despite the sensitive subject, which could otherwise be considered filthy or indelicate.

 “As when a hungry tigress, who long has traversed the woods in fruitless search, see within the reach of her claws a lamb, she prepares to leap on her prey; or as a voracious pike, of immense size, surveys through the liquid element a roach or gudgeon, which cannot escape her jaws, opens them wide to swallow the little fish; so did Mrs. Slipslop prepare to lay her violent amorous hands on the poor Joseph.” 

Mrs. Slipslop’s sexual advances toward Joseph are compared to a predator’s hunt for prey. Eighteenth-century literature rarely discussed the sexual appetites of women. Fielding made female characters like Lady Booby and Mrs. Slipslop the most sexually fervent in the novel, contradicting the sexual norms of the day, to show that women struggle to resist sexual temptation and maintain chastity just as men do.

“‘Madam,’ said Joseph, ‘I do assure your ladyship I don’t know whether any maid in the house is man or woman.’” 

Joseph’s response to Lady Booby’s false accusations that he impregnated one of her maids reveals his pure heart. He is so virtuous and so faithful to Fanny that he does not even notice the gender of his fellow servants. His words demonstrate his moral nature and suggest that readers should emulate his quality of character.

“Joseph desired to know what that forgiveness was. ‘That is,’ answered Barnabas, ‘to forgive them as—as it is to forgive them as—in short, it is to forgive them as a Christian.’”

Parson Barnabas’s unhelpful explanation of Christian forgiveness reveals his hypocrisy in a humorous way. What could be funnier than a clergyman who cannot articulate forgiveness? In contrast, Joseph understands and lives by the scriptures even though he has no formal education or biblical training.

“Thus what Horatio had by signs and tears, love and tenderness, been so long obtaining, the French-English Bellarmine with gaiety and gallantry possessed himself of in an instant. In other words, what modesty had employed a full year in raising, impudence demolished in twenty-four hours.” 

In the history of Leonora, Fielding shows the destructive nature of vanity. Bellarmine wins Leonora with empty attentions and promises of wealth, while Horatio and his persevering love are cast aside. The story warns readers to resist temptations from vanity’s charms, as they can quickly undo the work of goodness and authenticity without hope for revival.

“If I marry Horatio, I shall triumph over no more than one rival; but by marrying Bellarmine, I shall be the envy of all my acquaintance. What happiness!” 

Leonora’s story again show the folly of pursuing vanity. Her thought process in deciding between Horatio and Bellarmine highlights her need for attention. If she had considered who she truly loved or which man’s character was most honorable, she would have chosen Horatio and likely lived in happiness. However, she focuses instead on temporal pleasure and attention, which leads to her ruin.

“I assure you there is not anything worth our regard besides money; nor did I ever know one person who married from other considerations, who did not afterwards heartily repent it.” 

The horrible advice from Leonora’s aunt gets her into trouble, as pursuing money leads Leonora to unhappiness and isolation. Fielding shows that a marriage must be built on more than money to be successful. Those who marry for money are more likely to regret their decision than those who marry for love.

“The shrieks now increasing, Adams make no answer, but snapt his fingers, and, brandishing his crabstick, made directly to the place where the voice issued; and the man of courage made as much expedition towards his own home, whither he escaped in a very short time without once looking behind him; where we will leave him, to contemplate his own bravery…”

The partridge hunter is a prime example of hypocrisy. He talks of nothing but bravery and sacrifice for one’s country, but when the moment comes for him to exemplify his own standards of courage, he runs away and leaves Adams alone to defend Fanny against her attacker. In sarcastically calling the hunter “the man of courage,” Fielding criticizes all who pretend to be something they are not.

“[A]dd to these a countenance in which, though she was extremely bashful, a sensibility appeared almost incredible; and a sweetness, whenever she smiled, beyond either imitation or description. To conclude all, she had a natural gentility, superior to the acquisition of art, and which suprized all who beheld her.” 

Fanny’s physical beauty appeals to all the men who behold her, but it also reveals information about her disposition. She is shy, as seen in her responses to Joseph’s declarations of love, but also kindly and naturally refined. The concept of a poor woman of low birth appearing genteel and beautiful ran contrary to the common idea of the day that the poor were inferior to the rich in every way.

“[T]hose who are people of fashion in one place are often people of no fashion in another.” 

Fielding highlights the relativity of status to discount its value. While someone like Parson Adams has more status than Joseph, a footman, he himself is inferior to a squire, such as Sir Thomas Booby. In turn, even a squire is inferior at times, such as when in the presence of a lord. In other words, social position changes based on one’s company and therefore does not deserve the weight many people ascribe to it.

“To say the truth, she was most disagreeably disappointed by the presence of Fanny: she had, from her first seeing Joseph at the inn, conceived hopes of something which might have been accomplished at an alehouse as well as a palace. Indeed, it is probably Mr. Adams had rescued more than Fanny from the danger of a rape that evening.”

Mrs. Slipslop’s jealousy of Fanny and disappointment that she will not have sex with Joseph reveals her sexual appetite as a middle-aged woman. Fielding takes a humorous approach to contrast the older woman’s lust with the young man’s commitment to virtue, reversing the cultural expectation that young men are the most sexually inclined.

“The gentleman expressed great delight in the hearty and cheerful behaviour of Adams; and particularly in the familiarity with which he conversed with Joseph and Fanny, whom he often called his children; a term he explained to mean no more than his parishioners; saying, ‘He looked on all those whom God had entrusted to his care to stand to him in that relation.’” 

The con-artist squire is surprised by the way Adams calls Joseph and Fanny his children and treats them as dear friends. It was not typical for a parson to be so familiar with low-class parishioners, but Fielding argues that this should be the norm, especially for ministers of God. Adams’s genuine love for his parishioners is an example of true Christian charity.

“I will inform thee; the travelling I mean is in books, the only way of travelling by which any knowledge is to be acquired.”

Adams tells the inn host about all of the places he has traveled, and then clarifies that he did all of this traveling without ever leaving his home. Adams uses books to travel as well as to learn. This shows Adams’s high regard for literature and education and his contempt of traveling to show off wealth and status.

“In short, I had sufficiently seen that the pleasures of the world are chiefly folly, and the business of it mostly knavery, and both nothing better than vanity...”

These words from Mr. Wilson, similar to those of King Solomon of the Bible, support the novel’s key arguments about hypocrisy and social class. After all of the time Mr. Wilson spent pursuing status, lust, and money, he found those pleasures hollow. His present contentment comes from his quiet country life and loving family.

“Indeed, it is strange that all men should consent in commending goodness, and no man endeavor to deserve that commendation; whilst, on the contrary, all rail at wickedness, and all are as eager to be what they abuse.”

Joseph’s wise musings on human nature highlight the theme at the heart of the novel: hypocrisy. If people acted in accordance with the goodness they praise verbally, they would better serve the world and avoid ridicule from others, and thus be considered great in both word and deed.

“Joseph, if you are wise and truly know your own interest, you will peaceably and quietly submit to all the dispensations of Providence…”

When Joseph despairs over Fanny’s kidnapping by the squire’s friends, Adams counsels him to submit to providence. Adams has good intentions, but his words are much easier said than done. While providence does bring Fanny back safe and sound, Adams’s naive belief in the simplicity of the Christian walk shows his childlike faith and lack of worldly experience.

“In short, no three persons could be more kindly received, as, indeed, none ever more deserved to be universally beloved.”

When Joseph, Fanny, and Adams return to their small country town, they are greeted with complete love and kindness from the townspeople. Being “universally beloved” is better than any reputation status can bring, which shows the rewards of authentic goodness and virtue.

“[T]o shun the contempt of others, we must ally ourselves to those we despise; we must prefer birth, title, and fortune, to real merit. It is a tyranny of custom, a tyranny we must comply with; for we people of fashion are the slaves of custom.”

Lady Booby’s words to Mrs. Slipslop show her preference for status above all else. She is so bound by her fear of what others think of her that she will not allow herself to pursue Joseph. However, herein lies her hypocrisy: She does pursue Joseph. She veils her attempts to win him with feigned purity and false motives for the good of the town.

“I am resolved on no account to quit my dear Fanny; no, though I could raise her as high above her present station as you have raised my sister.”

Joseph shows true faithfulness when Mr. Booby asks him to break his engagement with Fanny, whose class is beneath his newfound status as a gentleman’s brother-in-law. Joseph chooses love over the chance to climb the social ladder, demonstrating the value of virtue over status.

“‘Now, believe me, no Christian ought to so set his heart on any person or thing in this world, but that, whenever it shall be required or taken from him in any manner by Divine Providence, he may be able, peaceably, quietly, and contentedly to resign it.’ At which words one came hastily in, and acquainted Mr. Adams that his youngest son was drowned.” 

Adams is advising Joseph to trust Fanny’s safety to providence when he learns his son has drowned. He immediately grieves the loss of his son, as any father would. Even Adams, with his charitable and Christian character, is not exempt from hypocrisy.