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Unit 7: Joseph Andrews: Character Analysis Comic Epic in Prose and Plot Construction

The formula of discovery, as described by Aristotle, an essential element of an epic, has also Notes
been used by Fielding. In the end of the novel, we see that Joseph is recognized to be
Mr. Wilson’s child and Fanny as the sister of virtuous Pamela.
High seriousness is an important element in epic. But in “Joseph Andrews” there is a great
deal of comedy and humour, because it is a comic epic novel. But behind this comedy, there
lies a serious purpose of reformation. We have a gamut of vain and hypocritical characters in
Parson Trilluber, Parson Barnabas, passengers in the stage-coach, Mr. Tow-wouse, Mrs. Slipslop,
Peter Pounce and the various Squires. The surgeon and the lawyer and the magistrate are also
some other example of hypocrisy and vanity. Each of these characters provides a great deal
of humour and amusement under a serious purpose.
Every epic has a moral lesson in it and this is no exception with a comic epic. Fielding’s views
on morality are practical, full of common sense and tolerance, liberal, flexible and more realistic.
These are devoid of prudish and rigid codes. Fielding wanted to tear the veil of vanity and
hypocrisy.

Self Assessment

State the following sentences are True or False:
1. Abraham Adams character is aligned with the old testament Joseph most famous for his
coat of many colours.
2. Sir Thomas Booby is the virtuous and true footman.
3. The novel takes place in the early eighteenth century, and it mirrors the lifestyle, caste
system, hypocrisy and corruption of the times.
4. Joseph and Fanny are brought before the Justice of the peace, who is perfectly willing
to acquiesce in Lady Booby’s plans.

5. It is true that we can term Abraham Adams as a comic epic poem in prose.
The use of grand, bombastic and elevated language is an important element in an epic. It has
heroic diction. But in “Joseph Andrews” we see that Fielding has used prose for poetry because
it brings us close to the real and actual life and it is much more suitable for Fielding’s purpose
of dealing with human nature. However, his use of prose is very good, up to the mark and
apt for his novel.
So, we can conclude that the theory of the ‘comic epic poem in prose’ as described by Fielding
in the preface of “Joseph Andrews” manifests itself in the novel. Fielding has assimilate the
rules and adapted them to his way of writing so well that we are not consciously aware of the
formal principles which give unity to his materials.

Did u know? According to Thornbury, “Joseph Andrews” by Fielding is:
“An art which conceals art, but is the art of a conscious artist”.

It is true that in “Joseph Andrews”, the scale is not as large as one can except in an epic,
though it has all other elements of a ‘comic epic poem in prose’, as claimed by Fielding.

7.5 Summary

• Joseph, the hero, is described in a style that sounds more like the introduction to a play
than a novel.

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