Fielding dedicated Tom Jones to his patron, George Lyttleton. He expresses his hope that this text, which took him many years to complete, will promote goodness and sincerity. As proof of his intention, he notes that he based the character Allworthy on his family friend Ralph Allen.
The Question and Answer section for The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.
Food is a recurring idea involved in the process of writing, war, and sex. The narrator refers to himself as a Restauranteer who will provide the reader with a feast. He also uses food as a metaphor for sex defining lust as a person's appetite for...
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...
Fielding uses an omniscient narrator throughout the story, as well as the occasional interjection from Mr. Squire. The narration is smart, witty, and engaging. It is also subjective..... as the narrator makes no attempt to disguise his opinions.
