'Though Tom's heart is in the right place, his instincts are not always in his control.' Do you agree ? Justify your answer with illustrations from Tom Jones.

Tom makes numerous impetuous decisions and moral errors in the course of the story, but he also exhibits many positive qualities which balance out his vices. Fielding’s purpose in the development of his characters, Tom in particular, is illustrated by a comment from the dedication: “I believe, it is much easier to make good men wise, than to make bad men good” (37). In other words, through Tom he expresses his belief that even good men falter, but from folly, not necessarily from evil.