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Unit 2: Joseph Andrews-I: Detailed Study of the Text

in a Man as in a Woman,” and attributes his own dedication to virtue to Mr. Adams’s guidance Notes
and Pamela’s letters. He marvels, “What fine things are good Advice and good Examples!”
Before he has finished his letter, Lady Booby’s steward, Mr. Peter Pounce, summons him to
receive his wages. Pounce has made a lucrative racket out of holding back the servants’ wages,
advancing them the wages he has held back, and charging outrageous interest on the money
he has advanced. Joseph, in order to acquire musical instruments, has had to ask Pounce for
advances, and his wages are much diminished as a result. He borrows some clothes from
another servant, since he must leave his livery behind, and sets out at seven o’clock in the
evening.

Chapter XI
Joseph heads not to his parents’ home, nor even to his sister Pamela’s, but back to Lady
Booby’s country seat, where he will reunite with his sweetheart, Fanny Goodwill. Joseph and
Fanny have known each other since early life and have long desired to marry, though they
have taken Mr. Adams’s advice in putting off the day until “a few Years Service and Thrift”
will have augmented both their experience and their finances. In the past year they have not
corresponded with each other, for the very good reason that Fanny is illiterate.
A hailstorm forces Joseph to take shelter at an inn with a lion on its sign-post and a master
named Timotheus. While Joseph is waiting for the storm to pass, another traveller enters the
inn, and Joseph recognizes him as the servant of a neighbor of Sir Thomas. Once the storm has
abated, Joseph and this traveller set out together.

Chapter XII

Joseph and his companion reach another inn at about two o’clock in the morning; the other
man stays at the inn for the night, while Joseph proceeds on foot. Before long Two Ruffians
confront him in a narrow lane and demand his money. When Joseph asks to be able to keep
a few shillings, they demand his clothes as well; when he objects that the clothes belong to a
friend of his, they attack him with pistol and stick. Joseph takes care of the stick handily but
receives a blow on the head from the pistol. The Ruffians go on beating the senseless Joseph,
strip him naked, and leave him for dead.
Joseph regains consciousness just as a stage-coach approach. The postillion hears Joseph’s
groans, and the coach stops, whereupon the passengers begin to debate whether or not to aid
the injured man. A young lawyer advises helping him in order that none of the passengers
should be liable for negligence. Other passengers resist this advice, but the lawyer eventually
prevails. Joseph, however, perceives that there are ladies in the coach and refuses to approach
unless someone gives him “sufficient Covering, to prevent giving the least Offense to Decency.”
No one wants to lend a garment to Joseph, until the Postillion finally volunteers his great-coat.
The Two Ruffians stop the coach and demand the passengers’ money, which they promptly
receive. As the coach moves on, one of the gentlemen lightens the mood by telling dirty jokes
that offend no one but Joseph. They arrive at an inn, where Betty the servant-maid prepares
a bed for him. The coachman fetches a Surgeon who, upon learning that Joseph is “a poor foot
Passenger” and not a gentleman, goes back to bed.
In the morning the master of the inn, Mr. Tow-wouse, orders Betty to give Joseph one of
Mr. Tow-wouse’s own shirts. Mrs. Tow-wouse objects to this proceeding, however, and upbraids
both her husband and the servant-girl. While Mr. and Mrs. Tow-wouse are arguing, Betty
gives Joseph a shirt belonging to the Hostler, who is one of her sweethearts. The Surgeon also
visits Joseph and pronounces his wounds likely mortal.

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