Original Title : The History of the Adventures of Joseph Andrews and His friend
Mr. Abraham Adams
Author : Henry Fielding
Country : Britain
Publication Date : 1742
I read Joseph Andrews by Henry Fielding for LMRC - Enlightenment period. Again I am late, posting this. Anyway, I did enjoy reading Joseph Andrews. Enlightenment period also referred to as the 'Age of Reason' runs from around 1660 until the beginning of the 19th century. It saw the development of modern novel as literary genre. Themes of social upheaval, reversals of personal status, political satire, the comparison between the supposed natural state of man and the supposed civilized state of man were explored in the literature.
The History of Joseph Andrews is defined by Fielding as a 'Comic epic poem in prose.' He began writing it as a parody to Samuel Richardson's Pamela, but it grew beyond it and became his first published novel. He also tells that he wrote it in the style of Cervantes. As the title goes it tells the story of Joseph Andrews, the only son of Gaffer and Gammer Andrews and brother of the virtuous Pamela. Joseph is apprenticed to Sir Thomas Booby at ten years of age. He becomes a footman of Lady Booby at the age of 21. When the Booby's depart to London, he too departs with them. Thomas Booby dies after a year. Lady Booby tries to seduce Joseph. He is too innocent to understand at first, but he follows the path of his sister. The infuriated Lady Booby dismisses Joseph. He immediately sets off to the Booby's country Parish to marry his love, Fanny Goodwill. On the very first day he was robbed and stripped naked. He was rescued by a coach driver and taken to an inn owned by Mr&Mrs. Towwouse. He meets his friend Adams, who is on his way to London to publish his sermons. Abraham finds that he has left his sermons at home. So both Adams and Joseph set out to Parish. The rest of the story is all the adventures they come across on the road to home, and also more surprising adventures at home before the lovers are united.
Fielding gives a vivid portrayal of the 18th century English society and also depicts the human nature with all its vices and folly.
