"Cliff Notes - Tom Jones" - читать интересную книгу автора (Cliff Notes)

in its own right. Tom Jones has been the subject of more
stimulating critical attention than any other novel of its
period.

Fielding's years of exhausting legal and literary work took
their toll. Though, according to his cousin, Lady Montagu, he
"knew more happy moments than any prince on earth," he struggled
against depression and exhaustion. He never really recovered
from the loss of his wife, though he married Charlotte's maid
several years after Charlotte's death. His health damaged, he
left with his family for the more congenial climate of Portugal.
He died in Lisbon on October 8, 1754.

Fielding was an aristocrat and a gentleman, widely praised
for his wit, charm, and generosity. One of his greatest gifts
to the world was his writing. It is a gift you will find richly
displayed in his greatest work, his masterpiece, Tom Jones.

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TOM JONES: THE PLOT

Returning to his country estate from a long trip, Squire
Allworthy discovers a baby in his bed. He eventually finds the
mother, Jenny Jones, the unmarried servant of a schoolteacher
named Partridge. Allworthy generously offers to raise the child
as his own. Jenny gratefully accepts the offer and leaves town
without revealing the father's name. Suspicions turn to Jenny's
master, Partridge. Allworthy sadly dismisses him from his post,
and Partridge leaves town also. Allworthy gives the baby the
name Tom Jones and loves him dearly.

Soon after, Mrs. Bridget (Allworthy's sister who lives with
him) marries the greedy Captain Blifil. They have a baby boy
who is raised together with Tom Jones. As he grows up, Master
Blifil becomes very jealous of Tom. Blifil plays up to his
tutors, Thwackum and Square, and plots to bring about Tom's
ruin.

Meanwhile, Sophia Western, the lovely daughter of the
neighboring squire, falls in love with Tom. Tom likes her but
doesn't notice Sophia's adoration. He's become involved with
the gamekeeper's daughter, Molly Seagrim. She becomes pregnant
and is humiliated by the townspeople. Tom confesses to Squire
Allworthy that he's the father, but when he goes to Molly to
bring her some money, he finds her in bed with the philosopher
Mr. Square. She has had other lovers all along. Tom feels
free to think of the other woman he's gradually fallen in love
with: Sophia Western.

But Squire Western, Sophia's father, won't allow her to marry