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.
At a glance
- Grade: 1.5 (1.0 is the best grade)
- Examines the Man of the Hill’s interpolated tale in Book VIII
- Uses Wolfgang Iser’s account of the relationship between author and reader
- 22 sources in the bibliography
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
Objectives and Themes
This study examines how the narrator functions in Henry Fielding’s Tom Jones, focusing on the relationship between narrative technique, the reader’s participation and the construction of the plot. It considers how the narrator’s comments, selection of information and ironic interventions shape the reader’s experience and judgement.
- The narrator’s first-person presence and omniscient perspective
- Introductory chapters, authorial self-interest and suspense
- Narrative selection and the withholding of information
- Trust, manipulation and the narrator-reader relationship
- Comic structure, irony and the role of fortune
- The interpolated story of the Man of the Hill
Excerpt from the Book
2.2 Narrative Selection
Fielding’s method of narrative selection is very important for the development and accomplishment of the action in his novel. The secrets and circumstances concerning Tom’s birth have to be maintained for a certain time, in order to be released at the proper time and place. If the author had explained everything about Tom’s birth mystery at the beginning of his narrative, there would have been no more to be discovered and the whole tension of his story would have gone lost. So it is no surprise that he states quite at the beginning “to offer only what he deems “necessary or proper””.7 Fielding’s implied author does not dwell on unimportant periods and information and states explicitly that he insists on his right of narrative selection, which is emphasised again and again:
“My Reader then is not to be surprised, if, in the Course of this Work, he shall find some Chapters very short, and others altogether as long; some that certain only the Time of a single Day, and others that comprise Years; in a Word, if my History sometimes seems to stand still, and sometimes to fly.” (II, I; 53)
The title of the first book already points out, that the narrator alone decides what his reader should get to know about his history and what not: “Containing as much of the Birth of the Foundling as is necessary or proper to acquaint the Reader with in the Beginning of this History” (I, I; 25).
This method of narrative selection causes a lot of confusion for the reader and sometimes also a lack of understanding, but the narrator assures that it is only for his reader’s comfort and entertainment. On purpose, the deceptive narrator leaves his audience alone with his complex plot; he misleads it knowingly, forcing it to make its own judgements and interpretations in his (writing) excesses.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: The introduction situates Tom Jones within the development of the eighteenth-century novel and considers Fielding’s use of comedy, drama and introductory chapters.
2. The Narrator: This chapter examines the narrator’s apparently omniscient perspective alongside his visible first-person presence. It explores introductory chapters, suspense, narrative selection, withheld information and the narrator’s relationship with readers.
3. Plot: This chapter discusses the organisation of the plot and the roles of fortune, comedy and irony. It also considers the Man of the Hill’s interpolated story and its relationship to Tom’s moral development.
4. Conclusion: The conclusion brings together the study’s discussion of narrative misdirection, reader participation, suspense and comic effects.
Keywords
Henry Fielding, Tom Jones, narrator, narrative technique, omniscience, introductory chapters, suspense, narrative selection, reader participation, plot, comedy, irony, fortune, Man of the Hill
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this study about?
It examines the function of the narrator in Henry Fielding’s novel Tom Jones and its relationship to the novel’s plot and readers.
What are the main themes?
The study considers narrative authority, suspense, selection and withholding of information, reader participation, comedy, irony and plot structure.
What is the study’s primary objective?
Its central concern is how Fielding’s narrator directs the narrative and influences the reader’s responses and judgements.
What method does the study use?
It offers a literary analysis of passages from Tom Jones, drawing on scholarly interpretations of narrative technique, plot and reader participation.
What does the main discussion cover?
It moves from the narrator’s introductory chapters and relationship with the reader to narrative selection, comic plot, irony and the Man of the Hill’s story.
Which keywords characterise the study?
Key terms include narrator, narrative selection, suspense, reader participation, comedy, irony and plot.
How are the introductory chapters discussed?
The study considers how they present the narrator’s views on writing, establish his self-interest and guide readers while sustaining suspense.
Why does the study examine the Man of the Hill?
It considers how his interpolated tale relates to the main plot and compares his response to adversity with Tom’s moral outlook.
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- Anja Schäfer (Autor:in), 2007, The Function of the Narrator in Henry Fielding's "Tom Jones", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/198255
