Joseph Andrews : Book 1: Chapters 11- 18 Story, Text and Critical Analysis

1. Joseph Andrews: Book 1: Chapters 11- 18 Story, Text and Critical Analysis Dr. SarwetRasul

2. Previous session • Book 1 (Chapter 1- 10) • Headings of chapters • Summaries • Points of Discussions • Important parts of text with reference to themes, development of characters etc.

3. Current Session • Book 1 (Chapter 11 onwards) • Headings of chapters • Summaries • Points of Discussion • Important parts of text with reference to themes, development of characters etc.

4. Book I: Chapter 11 Heading • “Of several new matters not expected.” (Note: The generalized nature of this heading gives hints to the nature of the chapter itself.)

5. Opening text from paragraph 2 • Text: “Since it may be wondered at, first, that Joseph made such extraordinary haste out of town, which hath been already shewn; and secondly, which will be now shewn, that, instead of proceeding to the habitation of his father and mother, or to his beloved sister Pamela, he chose rather to set out full speed to the Lady Booby’s country- seat, which he had left on his journey to London.”

6. Text continues “Be it known, then, that in the same parish where this seat stood there lived a young girl whom Joseph (though the best of sons and brothers) longed more impatiently to see than his parents or his sister. She was a poor girl, who had formerly been bred up in Sir John’s family; whence, a little before the journey to London, she had been discarded by Mrs Slipslop, on account of her extraordinary beauty: for I never could find any other reason. This young creature (who now lived with a farmer in the parish) had been always beloved by Joseph, and returned his affection. She was two years only younger than our hero. They had been acquainted from their infancy, and had conceived a very early liking for each other; which had grown to such a degree of affection, that Mr Adams had with much ado prevented them from marrying, and persuaded them to wait till a few years’ service and thrift had a little improved their experience, and enabled them to live comfortably together.”

7. Text continues “The reader may perhaps wonder that so fond a pair should, during a twelvemonth’s absence, never converse with one another: indeed, there was but one reason which did or could have prevented them; and this was, that poor Fanny could neither write nor read: nor could she be prevailed upon to transmit the delicacies of her tender and chaste passion by the hands of an amanuensis.”

8. Book I: Chapter 11 Summary • Joseph heads back to back to Lady Booby’s country seat, where he will meet his beloved, Fanny Goodwill. • Joseph and Fanny have known each other since early life and have long desired to marry, though they have taken Mr. Adams’s advice in putting off the day until “a few Years Service and Thrift” will have augmented both their experience and their finances. • They have not been in contact for the past many years for the simple reason that Fanny is illiterate. • Joseph is forced by a hailstorm to take shelter in an inn belonging to a man "called Plain Tim." When the storm is over, Joseph continues on his way with another traveller who was also stopped at the inn by the storm.

9. Heading of Chapter 12 • Containing many surprizing adventures which Joseph Andrews met with on the road, scarce credible to those who have never travelled in a stage-coach.

10. Book 1: Summary chapter 12 • Joseph and his companion reach another inn at about two o’clock in the morning; the other man stays at the inn for the night, while Joseph proceeds on foot. • He is stripped, robbed, beaten unconscious, and thrown into a ditch by two thieves. A stagecoach comes up and after much argument amongst the selfish travelers, Joseph is lent a coat and lifted into the coach. The shallowness of the travelers is further emphasized when the coach is stopped by the thieves, but when they eventually reach an inn, Joseph is met with true kindness from a maid, who seats him by the fire while she makes up a bed for him. • She tries to hasten along the surgeon, who promptly returns to bed when he hears that the injured person is a mere "foot-passenger."

11. Cont… Book 1: Summary chapter 12 • In the morning the master of the inn, Mr. Tow-wouse, orders Betty to give Joseph one of Mr. Tow-wouse’s own shirts. • Mrs. Tow-wouse objects to this proceeding, however, and rebukes both her husband and the servant-girl. • While Mr. and Mrs. Tow-wouse are arguing, Betty gives Joseph a shirt that is of the Hostler. • In this chapter the Surgeon also visits Joseph and pronounces his wounds likely to lead towards his death.

12. Reading some text from chapter 12 Text: “The poor wretch, who lay motionless a long time, just began to recover his senses as a stage-coach came by. The postillion, hearing a man’s groans, stopt his horses, and told the coachman he was certain there was a dead man lying in the ditch, for he heard him groan. “Go on, sirrah,” says the coachman; “we are confounded late, and have no time to look after dead men.” A lady, who heard what the postillion said, and likewise heard the groan, called eagerly to the coachman to stop and see what was the matter. Upon which he bid the postillion alight, and look into the ditch. He did so, and returned, “that there was a man sitting upright, as naked as ever he was born.”—“O J—sus!” cried the lady; “a naked man! Dear coachman, drive on and leave him.”

13. Cont … Text Chapter 12 TEXT: Upon this the gentlemen got out of the coach; and Joseph begged them to have mercy upon him: for that he had been robbed and almost beaten to death. “Robbed!” cries an old gentleman: let us make all the haste imaginable, or we shall be robbed too.” A young man who belonged to the law answered, “He wished they had passed by without taking any notice; but that now they might be proved to have been last in his company; if he should die they might be called to some account for his murder. He therefore thought it advisable to save the poor creature’s life, for their own sakes, if possible; at least, if he died, to prevent the jury’s finding that they fled for it. He was therefore of opinion to take the man into the coach, and carry him to the next inn.”

14. Cont… Text Chapter 12 • The lady insisted, “That he should not come into the coach. That if they lifted him in, she would herself alight: for she had rather stay in that place to all eternity than ride with a naked man.” The coachman objected, “That he could not suffer him to be taken in unless somebody would pay a shilling for his carriage the four miles.” Which the two gentlemen refused to do. But the lawyer, who was afraid of some mischief happening to himself, if the wretch was left behind in that condition, saying no man could be too cautious in these matters, and that he remembered very extraordinary cases in the books, threatened the coachman, and bid him deny taking him up at his peril; for that, if he died, he should be indicted for his murder; and if he lived, and brought an action against him, he would willingly take a brief in it.

15. Points of Discussion • The stagecoach episode underpins Fielding's theme of charity. • While Joseph shows concern for the clothes he has borrowed, only one of the travellers displays any real compassion for Joseph's naked and battered state. • Everybody is bothered about his or her own motives and benefits. • The coachman thinks of his schedule and his fare, the lady affects shock at the thought of a naked man, the old gentleman wants to make haste to avoid being robbed himself, and the lawyer is worried only by the possible legal repercussions. • Overall the theme of selfishness and ingratitude is prevalant. Only the postillion feels truly concerned and compassionate and thinks : "he would rather ride in his shirt all his life than suffer a fellow-creature to lie in so miserable a condition."

16. Points of Discussion • Fielding's aside that this man was later transported is his way of commenting on a society which would so harshly condemn a chicken thief. • As far as the other travellers are concerned, they are selfish and hypocritical and when the stagecoach is robbed, Fielding satirizes the lady who carries Nantes in her water bottle and the lawyer who is brave after the event. • This foreshadows the case of the man who is brave before the event (Book II, Chapter 9); on that occasion, it is Adams who is truly brave, just as in this episode Joseph knocks down one of the robbers while being attacked from behind himself. Despite the barbed portrayal of hypocrisy in this section, one remembers Fielding's qualification in the preface: "the vices to be found here are rather the accidental consequences of some human frailty or foible."

17. Points of Discussion The theme of warmth and humanity vs. cruelty: • Amidst this imperfection, Joseph finds warmth and humanity. No doubt that the maid Betty who works at the inn, and Mr. Tow-wouse are also not perfect creatures, but their kindness to Joseph contrasts strongly with the behaviour of the surgeon and with Mrs. Tow-wouse. Goodness, warmth and humanity are prominent features of their characters.

18. Points of Discussion • Mrs. Tow-wouse's inn is aptly named "The Dragon Inn." This and the collection of hypocrites who come to the inn contrast with the sign of the lion, "that magnanimous beast," found on the inn. • The theme of charity and good nature in relation to the selfish economics of everyday life is projected again. Actually Fielding continues throughout Joseph Andrews.

19. Heading of Chapter 13 • What happened to Joseph during his sickness at the inn, with the curious discourse between him and Mr Barnabas, the parson of the parish.

20. Opening text of chapter 13 Text paragraph 1: “AS SOON AS JOSEPH had communicated a particular history of the robbery, together with a short account of himself, and his intended journey, he asked the surgeon if he apprehended him to be in any danger: to which the surgeon very honestly answered, “He feared he was; for that his pulse was very exalted and feverish, and, if his fever should prove more than symptomatic, it would be impossible to save him.” Joseph, fetching a deep sigh, cried, “Poor Fanny, I would I could have lived to see thee! but God’s will be done.”

21. Some more text from chapter 13 TEXT: “Joseph desired paper and pens, to write a letter, but they were refused him; and he was advised to use all his endeavours to compose himself. They then left him; and Mr Tow-wouse sent to a clergyman to come and administer his good offices to the soul of poor Joseph, since the surgeon despaired of making any successful applications to his body.”

22. Book I: Summary of Chapter 13 • The surgeon despairs of Joseph's recovery, so Mr. Tow-wouse sends for a clergyman, Mr. Barnabas, who first drinks tea with the landlady and then a bowl of punch with the landlord before going up to see Joseph. • Joseph does not feel well. He talks to himself about Fanny, but he leaves everything to God. TEXT: “O most adorable Pamela! most virtuous sister! whose example could alone enable me to withstand all the temptations of riches and beauty, and to preserve my virtue pure and chaste for the arms of my dear Fanny, if it had pleased Heaven that I should ever have come unto them. What riches, or honours, or pleasures, can make us amends for the loss of innocence? Doth not that alone afford us more consolation than all worldly acquisitions? What but innocence and virtue could give any comfort to such a miserable wretch as I am? Yet these can make me prefer this sick and painful bed to all the pleasures I should have found in my lady’s.”

23. Cont… Book I: Summary of Chapter 13 • Barnabas considers all this "a rhapsody of nonsense." Later, when he finally talks with Joseph, his "Christian" admonitions to forget all carnal affections (Fanny) and to forgive everyone (the thieves) sound rather hollow. • Barnabas is more interested in another punch for himself while the good-natured Betty brings Joseph some tea (which Mrs. Tow-wouse had refused to serve him).

24. Text: Fielding questions religion and religious practices TEXT: “He then questioned him concerning his forgiveness of the thieves. Joseph answered, “He feared that was more than he could do; for nothing would give him more pleasure than to hear they were taken.”—“That,” cries Barnabas, “is for the sake of justice.”—“Yes,” said Joseph, “but if I was to meet them again, I am afraid I should attack them, and kill them too, if I could.”—“Doubtless,” answered Barnabas, “it is lawful to kill a thief; but can you say you forgive them as a Christian ought?” Joseph desired to know what that forgiveness was. “That is,” answered Barnabas, “to forgive them as—as—it is to forgive them as—in short, it is to forgive them as a Christian.”

25. Discussion Points • Mr. Barnabas is one of the many hypocritical clergymen who are a disgrace to clergy. • The link between good nature and occupation is important; disposition demands practical exercise and encouragement. Hence Adams' office as a clergyman is important because "no other office could have given him so many opportunities of displaying his worthy inclinations" (Fielding's preface). • There are six such clergymen in Joseph Andrews, of whom Barnabas and Trulliber are very prominent examples of all the corruption in clergy.

26. Discussion Points • Barnabas is more interested in punch than in his duties and he knows only the formulae of his faith. His dealings with Joseph are not at all related to Joseph's experience, and this discrepancy between formulae and "good works" (action) is one that Fielding has emphasized throughout the novel. • Again it is Betty who reveals a truly charitable heart in bringing Joseph the tea which was too much trouble for Mrs. Tow-wouse to prepare. In the novel help always comes from the poor, and goodness is exhibited by unprivileged.

27. Heading of Chapter 14 • Being very full of adventures which succeeded each other at the inn.

28. Summary Book I: Chapter 14 • Evening falls, and "a grave person" arrives at the inn. On hearing what has happened to Joseph, he is immediately concerned for Joseph's health and safety amongst such uncharitable people. It is important to notice that he does not yet know the identity of Joseph, and it is out of his human and Christian concern for another human. • He inquires of the surgeon, who would rather talk in medical jargon than communicate. But the surgeon is interrupted as one of the thieves has been caught and, to the great joy of Joseph, a little piece of broken gold that is a memento of Fanny is found on him. Soon the bundle of clothes stripped from Joseph is also found.

29. Cont...Summary Book I: Chapter 14 • The uniform is recognized by the "grave" gentleman, and we come to know that actually this person is Parson Adams. • Meanwhile, the mob that has gathered searches the captive, and the surgeon and Barnabas enter into a dispute as to which parties have the best legal claim to the recovered articles. • The prisoner almost gains his freedom by continually protesting his innocence. However, at this point of time Betty reminds them of the evidence of the piece of gold at which the prisoner is secured for the night.

30. Text about Mrs. Tow-wouse from Chapter 14 TEXT: “Her person was short, thin, and crooked. Her forehead projected in the middle, and thence descended in a declivity to the top of her nose, which was sharp and red, and would have hung over her lips, had not nature turned up the end of it. Her lips were two bits of skin, which, whenever she spoke, she drew together in a purse. Her chin was peaked; and at the upper end of that skin which composed her cheeks, stood two bones, that almost hid a pair of small red eyes. Add to this a voice most wonderfully adapted to the sentiments it was to convey, being both loud and hoarse.”

31. Heading of Chapter 15 • Showing how Mrs Tow-wouse was a little mollified; and how officious Mr Barnabas and the surgeon were to prosecute the thief: with a dissertation accounting for their zeal, and that of many other persons not mentioned in this history.

32. Opening text of Chapter 15 TEXT: “BETTY TOLD HER MISTRESS she believed the man in bed was a greater man than they took him for; for, besides the extreme whiteness of his skin, and the softness of his hands, she observed a very great familiarity between the gentleman and him; and added, she was certain they were intimate acquaintance, if not relations. This somewhat abated the severity of Mrs Tow-wouse’s countenance. She said, “God forbid she should not discharge the duty of a Christian, since the poor gentleman was brought to her house. She had a natural antipathy to vagabonds; but could pity the misfortunes of a Christian as soon as another.” Tow-wouse said, “If the traveller be a gentleman, though he hath no money about him now, we shall most likely be paid hereafter; so you may begin to score whenever you will.” Mrs Tow-wouse answered, “Hold your simple tongue, and don’t instruct me in my business. I am sure I am sorry for the gentleman’s misfortune with all my heart; and I hope the villain who hath used him so barbarously will be hanged. Betty, go see what he wants. God forbid he should want anything in my house.”

33. Summary of Chapter 15 • Betty tells Mrs. Tow-wouse that Joseph, who appears to know Mr. Adams, may be “a greater Man than they took him for”. Consequently, Mrs. Tow-wouse begins to feel better about having extended charity to him. Mr. Barnabas and the Surgeon approach Joseph, wanting to use his gold piece as evidence against the Ruffian, but Joseph will not give it up and Mr. Adams supports him. • Parson Adams tells Joseph that he is on his way to London to publish some volumes of sermons. • The next morning, Barnabas and the surgeon return to see the thief conveyed before the justice. They have spent the night arguing over legal procedures. • Fielding concludes the chapter with an apostrophe to vanity, eventually admitting that the reason for this passage is merely “to lengthen out a short Chapter.”

34. Discussion Points • Adams soon perceives that hunger is Joseph's most pressing ailment, and it is the gibberish of the surgeon which is the real example of "a rhapsody of nonsense.“ • In legal and other matters, both Barnabas and the surgeon are motivated by vanity rather than by any sense of duty. This refers back to the theme of vanity that Fielding has dealt with throughout the novel. • Their concern is for the advertisement of their own assumed abilities rather than for public justice. • On the other hand we can see Adams' "perfect simplicity," hinted at by the fact that all he knows comes from books. Parson Adams is presented as simple but sincere character. • His immediate concern for the plight of the footman, whom he does not know at first to be Joseph is a proof of this fact. • He is even willing to delay his journey which is important to him and his family. • Another proof of his goodness and sincerity is that he offers to give his entire "fortune" of less than ten shillings to Joseph. Ths concern and selflessness is in sheer contrast with the selfish change in the attitude of Mrs. Tow-wouse.

35. Cont… Discussion Points • Where Adams' sympathies are truly Christian, Mrs. Tow-wouse considers a person worthy of Christian compassion to be the opposite of a vagabond; in other words, a Christian is someone who is likely to be able to pay his bill. • Fielding again stresses the theme of getting to the heart of true good nature and, in his concluding remarks on vanity, stresses the difficulty of penetrating the disguises which vanity tempts people to assume. • His tone mocks even himself, for far from being carried away by his own indignation, with his several paragraphs deploring vanity, he confesses that he is really only lengthening out his chapter. (See text on next slide)

36. Closing text of Chapter 15 TEXT: “I know thou wilt think that whilst I abuse thee I court thee, and that thy love hath inspired me to write this sarcastical panegyric on thee; but thou art deceived: I value thee not of a farthing; nor will it give me any pain if thou shouldst prevail on the reader to censure this digression as arrant nonsense; for know, to thy confusion, that I have introduced thee for no other purpose than to lengthen out a short chapter, and so I return to my history.”

37. Heading of Chapter 16 • The escape of the thief. Mr Adams’s disappointment. The arrival of two very extraordinary personages, and the introduction of parson Adams to parson Barnabas.

38. Book I: Summary and Text Chapter 16 • The vain ostentation of Barnabas and the surgeon is in contrast to the thief, who, the pair of legal wranglers find on their return, has escaped — thanks to the carelessness — or dishonesty of the constable, Tom Suckbribe. TEXT: “Mrs Tow-wouse delivered herself in the following words: “Sure never was such a fool as my husband; would any other person living have left a man in the custody of such a drunken drowsy blockhead as Tom Suckbribe?” (which was the constable’s name); “and if he could be indicted without any harm to his wife and children, I should be glad of it.” (Then the bell rung in Joseph’s room.) “Why Betty, John, Chamberlain, where the devil are you all? Have you no ears, or no conscience, not to tend the sick better? See what the gentleman wants. Why don’t you go yourself, Mr Tow-wouse? But any one may die for you; you have no more feeling than a deal board.”

39. Cont… Book I: Summary and Text Chapter 16 • Adams realizes that as Joseph is not yet well enough to travel that day he will require more money. He takes Tow-wouse aside and asks him for three guineas, at the same time offering him what he thinks is ample security. But the security turns out to be the sermons, and so Tow-wouse hurries off with a "Coming, sir," to no one in particular. • While Adams takes comfort in his pipe, a coach with six passengers arrives at the inn, and the coachman and his master start arguing. • It is through one of the footmen of this coach that Barnabas comes to know that Adams is a clergyman. • Over a bowl of punch, they discuss Adams' volumes of sermons. Barnabas has had no success with his own and casts doubt on the prospect of Adams making any money by publishing his. • Joseph is now almost fully recovered, and Adams and he agree to part on their separate ways, Adams to London and Joseph to the Booby country-seat. • The chapter ends at the point where Joseph retires to his room for rest while Parson Adams goes down to meet a friend of Mr. Barnabas who has just arrived at the inn.

40. Discussion Points • The constable's name, Tom Suckbribe, indicates that the thief owes his escape to more than the constable's negligence. Many of the names (Whipwell, Slipslop, Booby, Peter Pounce, Fanny Goodwill, Mrs. Grave-airs, etc.) refer to general stereotype characteristics of these characters. • Later on you would see that Fielding himself emphasizes in the first chapter of Book III that his characters are types. • Mrs. Tow-wouse is as concerned with money as is Tom Suckbribe. You could have noticed in the text that her expostulation of "feeling" is an ironic inversion of real values. • Parson Adams, on the other hand, who generously offers Joseph his few shillings, is completely naive about the economics of everyday life; it is not surprising that he fails to convince Mr. Tow-wouse of the worth of his sermons in terms of hard cash.

41. Use of Digressions in the novel • In the novel we notice various digressions from the main theme as well as the main action. • For example in this chapter the small incident of the facetious dialogue between the coachman and his master is an example of Fielding's digressions that elsewhere are expanded on a larger scale. • In fact, such digressions as this conversation and the history of Leonora in Book II link circles. • The theme of these diversions such as the casual betting between "friends" as presented in this chapter contrasts with the real concern over money shown by Adams on Joseph's behalf . • These are actually are miniature views of the concern of this novel.

42. Heading of Chapter 17 • A pleasant discourse between the two parsons and the bookseller, ‘which was broke off by an unlucky accident happening in the inn, which produced a dialogue between Mrs Towwouse and her maid of no gentle kind.

43. Summary Book I: Chapters 17 • Adams is happy to know that the friend of Barnabas is a bookseller, to whom he proceeds to offer his sermons. • The bookseller, who says that he dislikes sermons only because they don't sell, adds that he will take them to London with him. A discussion develops between Adams and Barnabas over the Methodist doctrines of George Whitefield. Barnabas reviles Whitefield because he advocates continual preaching and praying for clergymen rather than more pleasurable pursuits. • On the other hand Adams, though agreeing with Whitefield that the business of clergymen should not be with things which are worldly, strongly criticizes the "detestable doctrine of faith against good works." • On hearing that Adams' sermons inculcate the opposite opinion, that virtuous heathens are more acceptable to God than are vicious Christians, the bookseller immediately backtracks, saying that he will take on no book which the clergy would be certain to denounce. Talking of the restoration of the true use of Christianity, Adams mentions a book which sets Barnabas to spluttering, though he has read not one syllable of it.

44. Text from Chapter 17 Some extracts from the text of chapter 17: • “if it was a play that had been acted twenty nights together, I believe it would be safe.” • “A virtuous and good Turk, or heathen, are more acceptable in the sight of their Creator than a vicious and wicked Christian, though his faith was as perfectly orthodox as St Paul’s himself.”—“I wish you success,” says the bookseller, “but must beg to be excused, as my hands are so very full at present; and, indeed, I am afraid you will find a backwardness in the trade to engage in a book which the clergy would be certain to cry down.”

45. Cont... Book I: Chapter 17 • Suddenly there is an uproar in the inn as Mrs. Tow-wouse has caught her husband with Betty, the chambermaid, and the two women have a huge quarrel over the issue. • Mrs. Tow-wousewants to hit Betty with the kitchen spit, but is restrained by Mr. Adams. • Betty, though generous and compassionate, has a constitution "composed of those warm ingredients which, though the purity of courts or nunneries might have happily controlled them, were by no means able to endure the ticklish situation of a chambermaid at an inn.“ • Betty who advanced towards Joseph to an extent that the modest Joseph was forced to shut her out of his room; but, on retiring to make Mr. Tow-wouse's bed, she came across Mr. Tow-wouse himself and in her heightened state of passion, she submitted to his will. • At this point, Mrs. Tow-wouse entered the bedroom. Betty is dismissed resultantly.

46. Discussion points • Adams again reveals his simplicity in financial matters. He explains his poor state in all honesty to the bookseller, completely undermining his own bargaining position. • But the commercial world is not the one in which Adams lives; he states that an honest mind would rather lose money by conveying good instructions to mankind than gain by propagating evil.

47. Fielding’s criticism on religion and religious practices • Adams' real concerns emerge in his comments on the Methodist doctrine which puts faith before good works. Fielding. • Adams considers that nothing can have a more pernicious influence on society than last-minute repentance. He believes that active virtue is always more important than faith. • This again bears on how the novel "rectifies" real life. Were the results of Adams' ecstatic moments confined to smoking a pipe, snapping his fingers, and taking a turn or two about the room, one might argue that he lives on a quite separate plane. But the strength with which he restrains Mrs. Tow-wouse is part of Adams' own doctrine of good works, to be fully implemented in the present.

48. Heading Chapter 18 • The history of Betty the chambermaid, and an account of what occasioned the violent scene in the preceding chapter.

49. Summary of chapter 18 • The chapter is an elaboration, comment and Fielding’s analysis of what happens in chapter 17.

50. Cont… Fielding’s criticism on religion and religious practices • T he same theme emerges in Fielding's tolerant treatment of Betty and Mr. Tow-wouse. Fielding proposes more realistic alternatives to vice. "I have done nothing that's unnatural," Betty exclaims, and the violence of Mr. Tow-wouse's passion, "like water, which is stopt from its usual current in one place . . . naturally sought a vent in another.“ • The strong effect of environment on both Betty and Mr. Tow-wouse again indicates Fielding's concern. • Fielding's tone emphasizes that Betty's good nature and compassion are more important than prudish hypocrisy.