How was the truth about Tom’s parentage disclosed?
Introduction: “Tom Jones” (1749) is the greatest novel of the eighteenth century. In structure and the richness of characterization, Tom Jones stands unrivaled in the history of English fiction”. Tom is the hero of the novel, but his true parentage is not known to all.
Tom’s Parentage disclosing: Fielding shows skill in handling his characters and adding their importance to the development of the plot. No character is introduced for its own sake. Most characters have a relevant part in the story structure. The plot is created in such a way that the hidden news can end the story instantly. Tom meets three persons his way, one after the other. All of them know something about his birth. From Partridge, Tom learns that Partridge is not his father. From Jenny Jones, Tom learns that she is not his mother. Advocate Dowling knew fully about the parentage of Tom, but he did not reveal the fact. The interlinked and interconnected incidents add to the unity of the plot structure.
আরও পড়ুন:Justify Robert Browning as an Optimistic poet.
Mrs. Waters came to see Mr. Allworthy in London. She disclosed to Allworthy the fact about Tom’s parentage. She said her real name was Jenny Jones. She was not the real mother of Tom Jones. The real mother of Tom was Mr. Allworthy’s sister Bridget and a young fellow named Summer was the real father of Tom. That young man had been living in Mr. Allworthy’s house and died of smallpox all of a sudden in his youth. Mrs. Waters also added that she confessed to being the mother of infant Tom under the instruction of Miss Bridget and had placed the baby in Mr. Allworthy’s bed. This disclosure came as a big surprise to Mr. Allworthy.
Conclusion: The technique of hiding Tom’s parentage of Fielding is handled fantastically. His mastery of plot construction develops the store of English literature, especially the novel.
