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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 5 page research paper that examines the disadvantages of an arranged marriage versus marry for love as pictured in Henry Fielding's eighteenth century novel Tom Jones. The writer argues that in Tom Jones, Fielding takes a firm stand against arranged marriages and, in so doing, dramatizes the disadvantages of this type of liaison. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khtjam.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
be Fieldings masterpiece, as it offers an intimate and comic look at the foibles and virtues of English society in the eighteenth century (Tom Jones). The societal customs of
that time, particularly for the upper classes, included parents arranging marriages for their children, rather then allowing adult children to choose their own mates. Such marriages were typically advantageous to
parents in regards to business arrangements or the marriage entailed the inheritance of wealth for future grandchildren. In Tom Jones, Fielding takes a firm stand against this practice
and, in so doing, dramatizes the disadvantages of this type of liaison. Early on in the narrative, Fielding makes a sort of "contract" with the reader, which promises that,
above all else, the reader will be treated to a good story, full of twists and turns (Sherman 232). Therefore, the course of true love cannot run straight and obstacles
to love provide a great deal of the action that drives the plot forward. A principal obstacle to the love of Tom and Sophia is her fathers opposition to their
union, and the arranged marriage that he plans for her instead of marrying Tom. From the onset, it is clear that Fielding sides with the lovers and not with
the father. Fieldings opposition to arranged marriages is largely dramatized through Sophias behavior in categorically refusing to web Mr. Blifil. Eileen Jacques argues that throughout the novel, Sophia can
be seen as adhering to Nichomachean ethics by shaping her behavior to the mean or middle path. For example, Sophia is a dutiful daughter, but she balances this aspect of
her behavior by steadfastly avoiding excessive submission through her consistent refusal to denigrate her mother, whom her father loathes even though the lady is deceased (Jacques 20). Fielding writes: "Sophia
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