I don't know if anybody else ever watched the tv show "Family Matters", but oddly enough I was reminded of it as I was reading this novel. Everytime Tom screws up, I was almost expecting him to mutter the Steve Urkel phrase "Did I do that?" Don't get me wrong, I think Jones is a likable character and that his actions are true to human nature, but it is also somewhat frustrating that he fails to learn from his mistakes. He is a victim of circumstances to some degree, but at the same time he perpetuates his own hard luck. I mean after Molly and Mrs. Waters, why does he think that proposing marriage to Lady Bellaston is the best way to end his obligations? Although it seems convenient, I would think that he would have enough sense to realize that Bellaston will most likely divulge this secret to Sophia(which she does). Then, he goes on to get himself thrown into jail because he stabbed Mr.Fitzpatrick. Although he was provoked, I would think that he would find some other way to stop him since he has managed to subdue others. However, I shouldn't complain because the characterization of Tom makes this book very entertaining. Besides, his actions aren't too far fetched because I have known people who continuously make the same mistakes.
Tom's actions are somewhat annoying simply because I want him to succeed in life. Right now, I'm at page 848, and it seems like he's going to. Mr. Allworthy has discovered the truth about Bilfil, and realizes he misjudged Tom. I was also very pleased to find out that Jones is not the daughter of Waters, but the daughter of Miss Bridget which makes him Allworthy's nephew. I was very distraught when I was told that Jones and Waters were mother and son considering their affair, so I'm glad that has been resolved. I'm certain that Jones and Sophia will end up together because there is nothing standing in their way at this point. I wish Tom the best, and hopefully he won't make any more mistakes in the next 20 or so pages.
3 comments:
Tom is an extremely likeable character and I do find myself rooting for him when I read. I was also relieved to see that Waters isn't his mother, but less because I felt distraught for Tom and more because of the bad cliché that type of ending would represent. As far as sense though, Tom is not blessed. He is a relatively naive character and the fact that he doesn't foresee what lady Bellaston will do with the letter is believable to me.
It seems like you're enjoying the end of the book and I felt the same way when reading it. Seeing Tom succeed was very satisfying for me. However, though the last Book of "Tom Jones" is jam-packed full of excitement, in the end I'm not sure how fulfilling I found it. Everything was just a little bit too convenient. On a sentimental level I loved the ending, but from an intellectual standpoint I felt robbed. It was like watching a film that is wonderfully unique for the first hour and forty-five minutes and then falls into the old romantic comedy cliché for the last fifteen. Sometimes, it's better when the hero doesn't get the girl.
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