The Man of Feeling

For me the issue of whether to accept The Man of Feeling for its sentiment was not necessarily difficult. I was ready and willing to, yet Mackenzie’s plot in itself foiled those chances for me. Initially, as I was reading the book I felt it was such a breathe of fresh air specially after the previous readings for its length as well as its content. I whole-heartedly took Harley as the sensitive noble character awwing at all his charitable deeds and emotions up until the prostitute’s story line came into play. Please, saving a prostitute why couldn’t there be someone else or anyone else where the same emotions could’ve been expressed because yes understand she had it hard but Harley shouldn’t have been in that situation to begin with. The whole situation diminished the credibility and affable feelings I had for Harley as a character as well as for Mackenzie’s message.
Here is just a random side point. The pictures on the front of book covers many of times just plain old miss the mark in representation of the book, but I felt Oxford was dead on with Mackenzie’s The Man of Feeling. It was a nice change that in a way added to the book for me.

Is Tom Jones really faithful

Coming to a closing of this novel i come to think of the fact is Tom Jones really faithful. He seems to be to a slut in the begining sleeping around with Molly and Sophia. We find out that Molly is pregant. At the very same time we find out Tom had feelings for Sophia. But Tom like some men today show us loyalty and was staying with Molly because of the baby. But he is not faithful because he is with both women. when Tom finds out that Molly has been sleeping around as well he professes his love for Sophia. What justifies Tom as being a ladies man is when his father dies and he is a mess and sleeps with Molly once again. How can you be faithful to one of these women when you keep each on one of them with the other. We see that during Tom Jones adventure he goes on and on with different women. He was never faithful and never will be. Its amazing to think how he was in love with so many women.

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.

I saw that movie too!--Hollywood types

(Please Email me your additions)

Arthur: My favorite stock characters are the "one man army" and the "average joe turned hero." It's fun to see John McClaine in Die Hard take on a whole army of terrorists by himself without shoes or socks. Even though it is so entertaining, it is equally ridiculous; there's no way that would happen in real life. I also like Spider-Man and The Matrix because average, every day geeks turn out to be superheroes.

Emily: My favorite Hollywood type is the "ugly" nerdy girl who just needs to take off her glasses and put on a different outfit in order to be hot. You see this in "She's All That" and the tv show "Ugly Betty". Usually the school discovers her beauty once "Jock A" bets "Jock B" that he can turn her into the next prom queen, so he turns the duckling into a swan. It's really amusing because the girl is obviously attractive, but nobody sees it until she lets her hair down and takes off her revolting spectacles.Tova: moody (and introverted) teenage drug store cashier. often pimply. or goth. always a classic..

Diana: One of my favorite characters/Hollywood types are ones who represent the "good" and battle against all opposition and "evil." Examples would include most heroes (Spiderman, Superman, the geek who becomes a brilliant tycoon, etc. I get great pleasure watching movies or reading literature regarding such characters. With all the evils present in our world, its remarkable to see the hero defeat all wiles (racism, criticism, etc.) and only put forth admirable characteristics.


Geraldine: the killer menopausal woman



Some of my favorites:
Wise advice;
The homeless person, (or gardener, nanny or chauffeur) who dispenses wise advice

Any unselfish poor person who dispenses wise advice to a selfish rich person

Dying person who dispenses wise advice to misdirected not dying person

High school
Blond, conventionally pretty popular girl/cheerleader who is mean to smart, unconventionally pretty new girl

Pretty much all of the “types”: geeks, nerds, sluts, Goths, skateboarders, druggies, cheerleaders, football players;


Rich people;

Dynasty and Dallas: the source of many a rich-person cliché: see also, all daytime soap operas

The evil and conniving but highly entertaining dragon lady
The alcoholic wife, neglected or not
The conniving mistress
The immoral and conniving CEO—usually with a conniving mistress to go with his alcoholic wife
The “Sweet” wife, often of “nice” younger brother
Lovable and moral mother/grandmother
Emotionally abusive father/grandfather

Fielding's control

One of the most surprising parts of the book for me was the discovery that Miss Bridget was the mother of Tom Jones. I'm not sure about the rest of you but I was completely blown away by this knowledge. I was so surprised and impressed that the thought never crossed my mind until Fielding introduced the idea himself, because I'm usually pretty good at figuring these kinds of things out. (I also loved the way Mrs Waters told Allworthy that she was not the mother, by seemingly contradicting herself; that was funny.) That might just reflect on my not very close reading of the text, but I also think it reflects on Fielding's writing ability. Professor Nadell mentioned when we were discussing Shamela that Fielding opposed Richardson's lack of control and use of 'raw experience' in his writing; and to me Fielding's ability to hide the identity of the mother of Tom Jones, demonstrates that use of his control. Throughout the book, Fielding gives plenty of hints that Miss Bridget is Tom's mother, but at the same time he makes sure the reader doesn't focus on them, by taking the reader's attention elsewhere. I remember at the beginning of the book I was doubtful whether Jenny Jones was really Tom's mother, it just seemed that the discovery was too easy and convenient, but somehow or other due to Fielding's tricky wording and innuendo, he managed to persuade me that she was. One such example was when Fielding hinted that Partridge was not the father of Tom Jones, by mentioning an 18 year old boy living in Partridge's home at the time. That really threw me on a loop, and throughout the book I wondered who the 18 year old boy was (was he a wealthy lord of some kind...), and he was a fake all along. But to get back to the point, Fielding did provide hints to the motherhood of Tom Jones from the very beginning, but he was able to fool me because he as the narrator had complete control over me throughout the book.
One example that demonstrates Fielding's hint that Miss Bridget is Tom's mother is on pages 49-50 when Miss Bridget and Deborah are listening at the keyhole to Allworthy's moralistic speech to Jenny; and Deborah criticizes Jenny to Miss Bridget for not revealing Tom's father, but to Deborah’s (and my) surprise Miss Bridget uncharacteristically commends the "honour and spirit with which Jenny had acted" (50). After finishing the book I realized that Miss Bridget's reaction makes perfect sense, after all it was in Miss Bridget’s best interest for Jenny not to reveal the identity of the father. But as I was reading the passage for the first time I thought that Miss Bridget's reaction to Miss Deborah was very uncharacteristic, even Fielding himself suggests it, which may be one of the reasons why I didn't read that much into it. Fielding as the narrator states, "The behavior of Miss Bridget greatly surprised Miss Deborah; for... she thought she might have launched forth with safety; and the sagacious reader will not perhaps accuse her of want of sufficient forecast in so doing, but will rather admire with what wonderful celerity she tacked about, when she found herself steering a wrong course" (50). In a way, not only does Miss Deborah have to get out of a sticky situation, so does Fielding, and they both did it the same way; but admiring Jenny for her “plainness”. This helps Deborah because she is able to steer away from disagreeing with her mistress; and it helps Fielding because it takes our attention away from the inconsistency of Bridget’s character by reinforcing her vanity and silliness. Therefore, the reader thinks that the inconsistency in Bridget’s character is most probably due to Bridget’s flightiness as opposed to a reflection on Fielding’s ability as a writer.
Basically the purpose of my long and protracted comment is to admire Fielding’s ability and intelligence as a writer. I’m really impressed with his control throughout the novel, he did not only control the plot, but he controlled me and the way I perceived the plot, he made me think whatever he wanted me too…which not all writers can do.

Hypocricy of Fielding in "Tom Jones"

Throughout "Shamela" one of Fielding's main criticisms of "Pamela" is that Richardson values words over actions. Pamela says one thing, but her actions don't necessarily back it up. However, doesn't Tom Jones do the same thing? For practically the entire book he professes his complete and utter love for Sophia while sleeping with other women. Sophia even points out the hypocrisy in this when she says to him: "After what passed at Upton, so soon to engage in a new amour with another woman, while I fancied, and you pretended, your heart was bleeding for me! -Indeed, you have acted strangely."
Now, personally I don't think there is a contradiction in what Jones does. I do honestly believe it is possible for someone to be completely in love with one person (who is unobtainable to them) while sleeping with another. However, I do see a contradiction within Fielding. To criticize something in one book and then do that exact same thing in another is the definition of hypocrisy. The only difference is that Tom is a man while Pamela is a woman. It's the same old double standard. The man can be promiscuous while still being a hero, but in order for the woman to be a heroine she must adorn herself with a chastity belt. Fielding's heroine (Sophia) even reinforces this idea.
In fact, Pamela and Sophia have much in common. They are unmatched in their beauty. Both fall in love with flawed men. They are beloved and blessed with a certain "air" and both posses the character trait of being outspoken. In the way that Pamela defies Mr. B, Sophia disobeys her father and her aunt. However, I'm not so sure if these similarities represent another possible contradiction in the writing of Fielding or if he's intentionally done this to jab at "Pamela" (or both).

Come On Tom!

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.

eh, Not SO Moral--but Virtuous

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.