A note on social criticism of novel Joseph Andrews
JOSEPH ANDREWS BY HENRY FIELDING
Q Write a note on social criticism as presented in book I and book II of this novel.
This novel is basically a satire on mode of living of the social classes of 18th century. The most promising and solid features (as a means of social criticism) that one might extract from the novel, in the light of book I and book II are highlighted as below:
Artificiality of love
Here the example of lady booby explains the point clearly. She loved Joseph as claimed by herself, but she wanted to keep their relation hidden from people, thus depicting the point of artificiality. She intended to seduce him just for the sake to gratify her sexual appetite. She, by no means portrayed any signs of true love.
This factor, fielding critised by employing the character of lady booby as discussed above.
Moral degradation
Another social evil of that time, certainly was that the people look down upon morality with an eye of contempt. They degrade it in all possible ways.
Here the example of Joseph can be taken into consideration. His inner goodness was ridiculed in the very society. Lady Booby once mocked him of his being maintain an ally of morality, when she herself as of superior stature had discarded her own conscience for him.
Sympathy within the same class
Sympathy is a factor that prevails only within the same class. As the example of postillion who provided Joseph with his coat when he had nothing to cover himself and was in a very miserable condition, states very well the fact. Indeed, both belonged to the lower class.
Lack of charity
Charity, a quality not so common in common man. When parson Adams consulted Parson Trulliber as his Christian brethren, with the aim of expecting some charity to pay off his bills of the inn they stayed at, got nothing but rejected in the face is just a demonstration of the fact of lack of charity.
Duality in nature
Parson Barnabas presents himself as a character with duality in nature. A glutton and
Q Write a note on social criticism as presented in book I and book II of this novel.
This novel is basically a satire on mode of living of the social classes of 18th century. The most promising and solid features (as a means of social criticism) that one might extract from the novel, in the light of book I and book II are highlighted as below:
Artificiality of love
Here the example of lady booby explains the point clearly. She loved Joseph as claimed by herself, but she wanted to keep their relation hidden from people, thus depicting the point of artificiality. She intended to seduce him just for the sake to gratify her sexual appetite. She, by no means portrayed any signs of true love.
This factor, fielding critised by employing the character of lady booby as discussed above.
Moral degradation
Another social evil of that time, certainly was that the people look down upon morality with an eye of contempt. They degrade it in all possible ways.
Here the example of Joseph can be taken into consideration. His inner goodness was ridiculed in the very society. Lady Booby once mocked him of his being maintain an ally of morality, when she herself as of superior stature had discarded her own conscience for him.
Sympathy within the same class
Sympathy is a factor that prevails only within the same class. As the example of postillion who provided Joseph with his coat when he had nothing to cover himself and was in a very miserable condition, states very well the fact. Indeed, both belonged to the lower class.
Lack of charity
Charity, a quality not so common in common man. When parson Adams consulted Parson Trulliber as his Christian brethren, with the aim of expecting some charity to pay off his bills of the inn they stayed at, got nothing but rejected in the face is just a demonstration of the fact of lack of charity.
Duality in nature
Parson Barnabas presents himself as a character with duality in nature. A glutton and