NewLifeFromHeaven.com Blog

“Reader, it is impossible we should know what sort of person thou wilt be…”(Pg. 337). First off, Fielding’s referring to himself as we is quite intriguing. Truly he has multiple personalities. Secondly, the hardest task of a writer is determining how to write to the goal audience; this is even harder when you are not of the group you are writing to.

“Susan related the whole story, which the reader knows already”(Pg. 343). Fielding is a kind author in that he does not go over what he has already said. Most often, this would bore the reader. Sometimes, mental refreshments help the reader maintain the whole complicated story in his mind.

“The Landlady fell severely on her head”(Pg. 349). Most fortunate souls do not fall on their head severely, and for the unfortunate soul who does, this might be the last act before they depart from this present world. A fear of the elderly is that they will fall; this causes them to sign up for services where they wear a wristband that allows them to alert help.

“I spoke on your account more than my own”(Pg. 352). This reminds me of a lawyer whose job is to defend the actions of others. An interesting case arises when a lawyer breaks the law; do they represent themselves or do they get a lawyer? In childhood, the good little kid will sometimes stake their honor to protect the actions of a naughty kid.

“I think it may very reasonably be required of every writer, that he keeps within the bounds of possibility…”(Pg 257).

A story is unbelievable if it is made to be so. It is the responsibility of the author to make a fictional, non-fiction plausible. If a history outstretches the bounds of what is possible, it is no longer a history, but a fantasy. Interestingly enough, Fielding tests the limits of the possible by including ghosts in a scene. We saw in Villette how events were orchestrated in a way as to appear directed by fate. Random chance would not have had Lucy meet again with Dr. Graham and Polly.
“[Tom Jones] endeavored to close his eyes, but all in vain; his spirits were too lively and wakeful to be lulled to sleep”(Pg. 262).

Most people have experienced the phenomena called insomnia. For whatever the reason, the neural activity of the brain is chaotic enough to prevent sleep. Certain neurotransmitters are firing that are the equivalent of keeping one awake. Serotonin must be released in the brain to cause drowsiness. A culprit of abnormal energy is noradrenalin.

“[He] went down into the kitchen to bespeak something that might pacify certain tumults he found rising within his stomach”(Pg. 297).

Everyone knows the feeling of hunger pangs. The stomach growls and refuses to be settle until food is consumed. People in lesser-developed parts of the world, and certain people in modern countries, struggle with the feeling of hunger everyday with out fulfillment. This epidemic of starvation must be solved by those that have food to spare.

“In the morning Jones grew a little uneasy at the desertion of his surgeon”(Pg. 273).

Patients that have deserted their doctor have reason to be weary of their health. Even those a doctor has dismissed have precedent to be concerned over their well being. Health is a precious balance tilting between life and death. One never really knows how close the death end is to the ground, but when it touches down, there is no turning back. Death will come.

“And for this Method we plead many precedents” (Pg. 100).
The Method is filling the mind of the reader with pleasant images before the introduction of a main character. In this circumstance, the player is Sophia. The introduction is in the same manner of a king being preceded by nobles. Fielding also includes the imagery of a royal fanfare of trumpets. Brass instruments symbolize honor, prestige, and power. The spotlight is focused on the one for whom the trumpets resound. Another precedent brought forth is that of the story of the actor King Pyrrhus. This man was busy eating when he should have been on the stage. A prelude to his presence was thus interjected. Fielding also comments how a Politician could benefit from this type of entourage.

“Hushed be every ruder Breath” (Pg. 101).
This intriguing line “confines[s] in iron Chain” the dangerous winds and summons the sweet winds to surround the entrance of Sophia. The likeness of breath to wind goes back to God breathing part of his spirit into clay to create Adam. Fielding invites the wind to carry delicious perfumes of flowers into the bubble surrounding Sophia. A woman is as tender or tart as her aroma. A farmer’s daughter dress could be tainted with cow pies compared to the well washed dress of a princess. On the other hand, perfume can be used to cover up nastiness.

“I will do it with all my heart” (Pg. 110).
Sophia promises Tom that she will help George Black with all that is in her. This reflects the same type of charity that Jesus asks of men. Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as you love yourself” (Luke 10:27). Furthermore, the kindness of Sophia’s heart can be likened to the Good Samaritan. She desires to take care of one less fortunate than her.

“Tom behaved to Sophia with no Particularity, unless, perhaps, by shewing her a higher Respect than he paid to any other” (Pg. 109).
This passage reflects the biblical theme of God not showing particularity to any man. God also asks man to not show particularity to the rich or the poor, but to give each equal honor. Giving more respect to one than to another can be based off of the morality of one’s life. A righteous man deserves more honor than the wicked. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap”(Galatians 6:7).