The History of tom Jones, a Foundling

Written by Henry Fielding

Book 4:
Summary of 14 chapters (main incidents)
Book IV starts with prefacetory chapter, in which Fielding breaks willing
suspension of disbelief as comments on his novel and character. He ironically
introduces one of the main characters by Quasi-epic style he uses grand words
while introducing Sophia Western.
Next chapter start with foreshadow, author exposes master Blifils jealous nature
as in past he flies abird from his hand, that bird was gifted by Tom to Sophia
Western , Blifil pretends he does it because he felt mercy , other characters look
this incident with different perspective as Allworthy says Blifil is right Sophia
comes closer to Tom and hated Blifil..
After that Tom ask Sophia to help George black to get him job in her fathers
service, she convince her father Sophia realizes she loves Tom, but Tom engaged
to Black Georges daughter Molly. His secret reveal when Molly becomes
pregnant to hide her pregnancy her mother gives her a long frock which was
gifted her by Sophia as a charity. Molly visits church where people mock at her
beautiful dress even beat her. Tom fortunately reaches there and saves her.
Next day Allworthy knows about Mollys pregnancy and gives long moral speech
to Tom , while Squire western feels proud for Tom. This news hurt Sophia while
Blifil successfully put negative idea in Allworthys mind that Tom is not generous
he does because of his Lust. The last chapters expose Sophias obsession to Tom,
when they go for haunting Sophia drops from horse but Tom saves her by
breaking his own arm, this action again wash spaces between them.

Critical analysis

Jealous nature of characters

Book iv exposes jealous nature of many characters including, Master Blifil,
Thawacum , Square. Master Blifil is Hypocrite who pretend to be a noble man,he
always tries to humilite Tom. The servant and a Pope also become jealous with
Tom, because they consider Toms kindness as threat to their job.
Contrast between characters
We also learn contrast between Tom and Master Blifil, they grow up together in
same house. Tom is famous for his kindness courage and loving nature ,whereas
Master Blifil is pretend to be good but in core of his nature he is hypercritic and
timid. There is also contrast between Molly and Sophia, both loves Tom but
different in nature. Molly is beautiful and attractive. Shes physically attracted to
Tom and makes affair with him. She has many secret relations with others.
Sophia is a beautiful girl who really loves Tom, She cares for Tom and agrees with
Tom, even she helps Tom to get job Black George.
Satire on 18th century
Satire plays significant role in book IV, an amusing example is Mollys visit to
church with elegant dress, and people respect her, but when they realize that
she is Molly a poor servant they mock at her even beat her. Henry satires on
lower class of English society and their mindset that fine dresses are only belong
to Upper class, they beat Molly not because she grows illegitimate child but she
wears costly dress. Henry also satires over Allworthy when he gives long lecture
on morality, Henry comments that Allworthy himself was womanizer. And lecture
whom he deliver is actually a foundling (Tom is illegitimate). Through his satire
Henry wants to convey that legitimate and illegitimate does not matter we are
know by our actions not by birth.