Joseph Andrews Essay -- essays papers

Joseph AndrewsIn fields Joseph Andrews you see a mix of characters. They range from the sh whollyow, vain and proud characters like Lady Booby and Mrs. Slipslop to the innocent, sincere, and innocuous like Joseph and shtup. The presence of Lady Booby, and all of the people like her that ar portrayed in the same selfish and dishonest way, bring divulge the importance of the clergy. Most of the clergy that we meet in the story dont fit our vision of holy people. They didnt fit Fieldings vision either. Parson Adams is the only character that represents what Fielding considers to be the graceful enjoyment for the clergy. He believes that the proper role for the clergy is that they should give clean guidance and they should be virtuous and charitable.There are many examples of good-will made by Parson Adams because Fielding believes that charity is part of the proper role for the clergy. But I think that Adams will stand give away to a greater extent if I show how uncharitable the liberalisation of the characters are. While at The Dragon Inn, Joseph meets Mr. and Mrs. Tow-wouse. Mr. Tow-wouse is the owner of the inn and for his brief presence in the nurse he is good-natured, unlike his wife who is greedy and very uncharitable. When her husband gets a shirt to clothe naked Joseph she states, Common charity teaches us to brook for ourselves and our families and I and mine wont be ruined by your charity, I assure you (93). Later on, Joseph meets Mr. Barnabas. He is a clergyman further a disgrace when compared to Adams. Adams office as a clergyman is important because no other office could have given him so many opportunities of displaying his worthy inclinations (95). Barnabas is sent to Josephs room in the inn to easiness him because he has been severe... ...ical and obsessed with worldly possessions. They are supposed to be leaders of faith but instead come off as devil of the most appalling characters in the book. But in contrast to the rest of th e clergymen, Parson Adams is extremely charitable and honest. He and Joseph always act on their beliefs and defend them by any force necessary. Fanny and Joseph are morally superior characters, but they are still characters. Adams emerges as an individual. He gave Joseph and Fanny moral guidance any time they needed it and he puts his principals of charity into practice. Now, there is no Command more express, no Duty more frequently enjoined than Charity. Whoever therefore is void of Charity, I make no apprehension of pronouncing that he is no Christian. (185). In Fieldings mind the role for the proper clergyman is to be honest, give moral guidance, and at all times be charitable.