Henry Fielding's 1749 English novel follows the adventures of Tom Jones, an abandoned infant raised by a country squire who must navigate love, betrayal, and social prejudice to discover his true identity. The picaresque fiction chronicles Tom's journey from the countryside to London as he pursues his beloved Sophia Western while confronting the rigid class divisions of 18th-century society.
The introduction to the work, or bill of fare to the feast. An author ought to consider himself, not as a gentleman who gives a private or eleemosynary treat, but rather as one who keeps a public ordinary, at which all persons are welcome for their money. In the former case, it is well known that the entertainer provides what fare he pleases; and though this should be very indifferent, and utterly disagreeable to the taste of his company, they must not find any fault; nay, on the contrary, good breeding forces them outwardly to approve and to commend whatever is set before them. Now the contrary of this happens to the master of an ordinary. Men who pay for what they eat will insist on gratifying their palates, however nice and whimsical these may prove; and if everything is not agreeable to their taste, will challenge a right to censure, to abuse, and to d--n their dinner without controu…Continue reading →
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