Although Tom Jones is a novel written with the intent of identifying virtue, its agenda, unlike Pamela is not to push relgion per se. Religion is mentioned, we did get quite a mouthful--but the characters are never overtly didactic. Instead of sending a message of piety through prayer, excessive praise of one's own humbleness (props to Pamela...)the characters of Tom Jones follow their own modes of logic to make decisions and come to conclusions. From this, it was hard to get a preachy feel from the text. Instead, we are left with characters who are HUMAN, and not demi-Gods who toot their own horns. The characters use their own intellect to make decisions, rather than blindly following some ingrained mindset which is, in essence, self-indulgent and virtuous only in mind. The characters of Tom Jones, with Tom himself at the forefront, assess each situation. The decisions that Tom makes are sometimes moralistic, and other times, well, not SO moralistic--but it is this combination of character that makes him relatable.
One scenario that plays over repeatedly is Tom's fallability in matters of sexuality. (For example, during his rescue of Mrs. Waters, his thoughts stray to her body...) It is only natural that man (and woman) have sexual feelings and desires,and Tom's goodness is tempered by his impulses, but this does not taint his virtue. Tom's rescue of Mrs. Waters serves to indicate that he is an extremely virtuous character, he just has some vices to work on.
Because of Fielding's inclusion of 'taboo' scenarios like this, his characters are multi-faceted relatable characters with depth.
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You put it perfectly Tovia, I couldn't agree more. When I was reading Pamela, I seriously felt like I was sitting in church listening to a sermon. The message was not subtle, and it was difficult to read because it was so obvious. I also think Tom Jones is a virtuous character, he does need to work on some of his vices though. One of the things that I found annoying is that he continues to make so many mistakes, but I think his age can explain a lot of it. He has a lot of sense and compassion, but sometimes he disregards sense and gives into his desires instead.
I've also been thinking about the issue of sexuality in terms of these novels. Fielding doesn't preach in the same way that Richardson does, but both seem to be overly concerned with the notion of virtue in my opinion. The idea that wealth and position give a man more opportunity for forgiveness for his lust is a bit much. The novel is satircal in its depiction of the widow who proposes to Tom and it annoys me that there is such a disparity between the perceived virtune of a gentlewoman and a gentleman.
I also agree with you Tova. Throughout the book, Fielding demonstrated that Tom is a virtuous/ good person. He may give into his vices, but whenever he does, he harms himself more than anyone else. Tom Jones would never willfully hurt anyone for his gain...which distinguishes him from Square B. in "Pamela".
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