The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling

The narrator uses elevated language and epic similes to introduce the character of Miss Sophia Western, the Squire’s daughter. She is beautiful, sweet-tempered, and charming. She grew up in the country but has been educated by her aunt, “a Lady of great Discretion” (119).

Sophia is 18 and very dear to her father. She has grown up knowing Tom Jones and Master Blifil. When she was 13, Tom gave Sophia a little bird, which she adored, but which Blifil let fly away. Tom fell into a canal trying to save it.

After the incident of the bird, Square commends young Blifil for wanting to free the creature. He and Thwackum argue over whether Blifil followed the law of nature or had a motive of Christian compassion. A lawyer weighs in on the matter of personal property. The squire commends Tom for his “generous spirited Action” (124).

After the incident of the bird, Sophia prefers Tom to Blifil. She has recently returned from spending three years living with her aunt. Tom is now 20, very handsome, and much admired by the women of the neighborhood. He dines often at the Squire’s house and treats Sophia with respect, though he has no romantic designs on her. When Tom asks Sophia to intercede with her father on behalf of Black George, Sophia agrees; she has already sent money and one of her gowns to the family. Tom kisses her hand, and Sophia is affected by this touch. She approaches her father, who offers Black George a position on his estate.

The narrator explains that Tom is not already in love with Sophia because he is attracted to Black George’s daughter, Molly Seagrim. He suggests that Molly, a bold and pretty girl not in the least concerned about her virtue, lured Tom into an affair. Tom believes that he is in love with Molly.

Mrs. Seagrim realizes that her daughter is pregnant. When attending church, Molly wears the gown that Sophia sent her, and the neighborhood ladies are incensed that Molly is wearing clothes above her station.

Molly is taunted at church, and objects are thrown at her. Molly fights back, and the narrator describes the ensuing tussle in terms of a Homeric battle. Tom, whom the narrator compares to Don Quixote or another knight-errant, rescues Molly and takes her away on his horse.

Molly’s sisters taunt her, and so does her mother, who says that because Molly is romantically involved with a man who will not marry her, she’s a “slut” and a “hussy” whose child will not be socially accepted. The family expects that Sophia’s offer to employ Molly in the Western household will be rescinded once she knows that Molly is pregnant, as servants are expected to be chaste.

At dinner at Squire Western’s, the parson, Mr. Supple, describes how Molly was brought before Mr. Allworthy, who discovered her pregnancy. Tom leaves suddenly, and the Squire suspects that he is the father. The parson laments this if so, but the Squire says that many men father children via extramarital affairs. Sophia is upset by this discussion and withdraws to her room, claiming that she has a headache.

Tom rides home to find that the constable is taking Molly to jail. He confesses to Mr. Allworthy that he is the father of the child. Mr. Allworthy lectures him for his behavior. Square and Thwackum hint to Mr. Allworthy that Tom’s generosity to Black George was intended only to take advantage of Molly.

Sophia’s lady’s maid, Mrs. Honour, gossips about Tom being the father of Molly Seagrim’s baby. This upsets Sophia. Honour does not think handsome young men should be blamed for doing “what is natural” (149), but that girls who entice a young gentleman to ruin should be whipped. Sophia, who realizes that she is attracted to Tom, decides to conquer her infatuation by staying away from him.

Sophia agrees to go hunting with her father, though she does not enjoy it. As they are returning to the house, Sophia’s horse rears and throws her. Tom catches her before she falls, but in doing so, he breaks his arm. Sophia is impressed by his bravery, and Tom begins to feel an attraction to her.

The surgeon bleeds Sophia as a remedy for her fright, then sets Tom’s arm. Mrs. Honour speaks so highly of Tom that Sophia teases her for being in love with him. Honour tells Sophia that she saw Tom pick up a muff Sophia left on a chair and kiss it, and he also admitted to Honour that he adores Sophia. Sophia takes note of this information.

The narrator now asserts that, in keeping with his aim of “prosai-comi-epic Writing” (158), he will prefix an initial essay to every book. He scorns critics who set themselves up as judges and declares that he will “open a new Vein of Knowledge” (160). He admits that these essays, being serious, will likely be dull, and the reader might skip them.

Tom stays at Squire Western’s while recuperating from his broken arm and receives many visitors, including Allworthy, Thwackum, and Square, who all lecture him in various ways. Tom spends time with Sophia, listening to her play music. Sophia attempts to guard her behavior, but indications of love, which the narrator likens to a disease, slip through. Tom realizes that he is in love with Sophia and suspects that she returns his affection.

Tom’s affection for Sophia is bittersweet as he knowns the Squire will never marry his daughter to someone with no fortune or legitimate title. Tom also fears what will happen to Molly if he abandons her.

Mrs. Honour, who likes Tom because he is young and handsome, scolds him for wasting himself on Molly Seagrim. She says that Sophia had given her a muff, but after Mrs. Honour told her the story of how she had seen Tom kiss it, Sophia wanted the muff back. Sophia wears the muff that evening and rescues it when her father lets it fall in the fire, which persuades Tom that Sophia loves him. He feels deep love for her as well.

Torn between his love for Sophia and his promises to Molly, Tom decides to offer Molly money to support herself. He visits the Seagrims and approaches Molly in her bedroom. Molly weeps that Tom has forsaken her, but then a closet door falls open to reveal Square hidden inside. Tom, who recalls how harshly Square lectured him for corrupting Molly, is amused to discover that the tutor has been sleeping with her. Tom wishes her well and leaves.

Tom is concerned that he has corrupted Molly, as claimed, until her older sister informs him that Molly was previously involved with a young man named Will Barnes, and that the child could be his. Barnes wooed many women, including Molly’s sister, until he decided that he liked Molly better. Sophia now wholly claims Tom’s heart, and her love for him grows when she realizes he feels the same way. The two meet in the garden one morning, and Tom declares, “I have struggled with my Love to the utmost, and have endeavoured to conceal a Fever which preys on my Vitals” (181). Sophia, being a modest young lady, rushes away to her room to deal with her feelings.

Tom learns that Allworthy is gravely ill and rushes to his bedside. Allworthy makes known his will, in which he leaves Blifil most of his estate, setting aside money for his mother and a small estate for Tom. He mentions what he has left to his other employees and friends.

Quarrels and resentment ensue among Mr. Allworthy’s employees over what they are to inherit. Blifil learns that his mother died on a visit to Salisbury. Allworthy is distressed to hear of Bridget’s death but heartened when his own health returns.

Tom is so overjoyed to hear of Allworthy’s recovery that he drinks too many toasts at dinner and becomes quite drunk. Blifil rebukes Tom for rejoicing when Blifil’s mother is dead, and the two men scuffle.

Tom walks outside to sober up and meets Molly, with whom he withdraws into a thicket. The narrator notes apologetically that, due to the wine, Tom allows his “unruly Passion” to overcome the “wonderful Power of Reason” (196). Blifil and Thwackum are also out walking, and Blifil spots the lovers. Thwackum declares that this poor behavior is Allworthy’s fault for showing “such kindness to a Bastard” (197) and softening the punitive laws that call for “a very severe Punishment to loose Wenches” (197). Thwackum makes so much noise that Tom is able to warn Molly to scurry away.

Tom fights “a battle Royal” (200) with Thwackum and Blifil to keep them from pursuing Molly. Squire Western happens by and puts an end to the fight.

Sophia faints at the sight of the bloodied and prostrate Blifil. Tom carries her to a nearby brook and revives her. Squire Western inquires after the cause of the fight, and Thwackum says he was trying to “bring to Justice a wanton Harlot” (203). Squire Western escorts his daughter home, and Tom goes with them.

The narrator weighs in on philosophical discussions of love, separating sexual drive from instances of esteem, gratitude, or familial affection.

Squire Western’s sister, Sophia’s unmarried aunt, has come for a visit. She is an erudite lady who reads widely, discourses on politics, and is a solid authority on society’s current fashions. Squire Western does not care for his sister’s learning or discernment, but despite their frequent arguments, he hopes to inherit her fortune. Mrs. Western thinks that Sophia is in love with Blifil.

Sophia, who is afraid that her aunt has noticed her feelings for Tom, ignores Tom and pays attention to Blifil. The Squire approaches Mr. Allworthy to suggest a match between the Sophia and Blifil. Allworthy replies that if the two people like one another, he will approve. For the Squire, however, marriage is not a matter of liking but of obedience.

Blifil would enjoy having Sophia’s fortune, so he consents to the marriage. Allworthy, who married for love, observes that his nephew seems rather cold. Blifil pretends to admire Sophia greatly.

Aunt Western visits Sophia and informs her that they have arranged a marriage with her beloved. Believing her to be referencing Tom, Sophia expresses delight, saying she is glad they do not mind the circumstances of Tom’s birth. Mrs. Western is violently surprised that Sophia’s affection should be for Tom Jones, whom she finds utterly unsuitable. She tells Sophia to accept Blifil as her husband-to-be.

Mrs. Honour, who eavesdropped on the previous exchange, finds Sophia crying. Sophia has despised Blifil ever since he lost her bird. Honour says she saw Tom outside walking by the canal, but when Sophia goes to look for him, he has left.

Blifil visits and assumes that Sophia’s coolness toward him is maidenly modesty. When Sophia begs her father not to marry her to Blifil, the Squire is outraged. Tom overhears and is shocked.

Tom helps Sophia up after her father pushes her down. Holding her hand, he declares his affections and begs her not to marry Blifil. However, Sophia doesn’t wish to displease her father.

Mrs. Western informs the Squire that Sophia loves Tom. The narrator uses epic similes to describe the Squire’s rage when he sees Tom and Sophia standing close together. Sophia faints with fear. The squire threatens to beat Tom and suggests that he go home.

Squire Western visits Allworthy to complain that Sophia is in love with Tom Jones. The Squire will never approve of her marrying a “bastard” and threatens to turn her out of his house without a penny. Allworthy speaks with Blifil, who swears not to pursue a lady whose affections lie with another. Blifil informs Allworthy that Tom behaved poorly on the night that Allworthy lay ill. He accuses Tom of carousing drunkenly at dinner and picking fights. Blifil also suggests that Tom is trying to steal Sophia, painting Tom as such a villain that Allworthy is shocked.

Allworthy lectures Tom about his bad behavior. He says he has forgiven Tom too many times and can no longer support him. He gives Tom 500 pounds and sends him away.

Tom is in despair at being sent away, for he regards Allworthy as a father. However, he decides it will be better for Sophia if he leaves. He writes her a letter bidding her goodbye and discovers that he has lost the 500 pounds. When he goes back to the river where he was sitting, he meets Black George. George helps him to look for his items, with no success, and Tom never suspects that George has already found and pocketed the money. George takes the letter to Sophia and returns her response, in which she states that she will never marry Blifil.

Sophia’s aunt lectures her on the folly of marrying for love, when marriage should be looked upon as a way of advancing one’s fortune. The Squire locks Sophia in her room so that she cannot run away with Tom. Mrs. Honour reveals that Tom has been turned out by Mr. Allworthy. Sophia sends Tom money, which George delivers, resolving not to steal it this time.

Mrs. Western scolds the Squire that English women are not to be locked up. She demands that she be allowed to manage her niece.