Masters Thesis

Fielding's world of feminine assertion

The purpose of this thesis is to establish the existence of two distinct groups of women in Henry Fielding's four novels: Joseph Andrews, Jonathan Wild, Tom Jones, and Amelia. In each of these works there is clearly discernible an assortment of aggressive, domineering, and calculating females. This first group of women has three specific functions: to initiate action, to satirize values, and to provide low and middle comedy. Fielding is amused rather than shocked or angered by the predominance of such women. However, as a corrective guide for his female readers, he presents heroines who comprise the second group. They, too, tend to be assertive and domineering in their relationships with men. But in contrast to the women in the first group who exhibit superficial values, the heroines represent Fielding's moral ideal. In each novel the hero strives to achieve a tranquil union with the heroine.

Items in ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.