Isn't it amazing where status and birthright can take you (especially in the 18th century)? In Fielding's conclusion of Tom Jones I couldn't help but notice that the happy ending for our main character played directly into society's views on wealth, inheritence, and marriage. The whirlwind of action that took place seemed to have been purposely created by Fielding- probably as an attempt to pacify his audience by giving his "rebel" character a more appropriate ending (by society's standards). I found Mr. Western, Sophia's father, to be not only a protecting father-figure, but also as a ridiculous man influenced by societal orders. Opposed to any existence of love between his daughter and the orphan Tom, he barbariously locks his daughter in her room. However, once he finds out that Tom was also Allworthy's nephew, he embraced the young man openly into his family. His contradictory actions only displayed how strong the influence of societal acceptance and appearance were to the citizens of 18th century England.