History of Tom Jones, a Foundling
Henry Fielding
Contains spoilers for the entire book.
Discussion topics
Topic 01 of 08
The foundling
What does Tom's birth as a foundling mean for how others treat him?
Keep the conversation going
- What did you make of Squire Allworthy taking him in?
- How does the mystery of his parentage drive the story?
There is no single right answer. Bring your own reading.
Discussion topics
What does Tom's birth as a foundling mean for how others treat him?
Keep the conversation going
- What did you make of Squire Allworthy taking him in?
- How does the mystery of his parentage drive the story?
How do Tom and Blifil differ, and why do people misjudge them?
Keep the conversation going
- What did you make of Thwackum and Square, their tutors?
- Is Blifil's virtue only for show?
What makes Sophia Western a heroine worth admiring?
Keep the conversation going
- How does she resist her father's choice of Blifil?
- What does she see in Tom?
Is Tom's 'good nature' enough to make him a good man?
Keep the conversation going
- What did you make of his affairs, from Molly Seagrim to Lady Bellaston?
- Does the novel excuse him?
What did you make of the narrator's chapters addressed to the reader?
Keep the conversation going
- How do they change the way you read the story?
- Did you enjoy his digressions?
What does Partridge add to Tom's journey?
Keep the conversation going
- What did you make of his reaction to Hamlet at the theatre?
- Is he a loyal friend?
What makes the scenes at the inn at Upton so comic?
Keep the conversation going
- How do coincidences drive the plot?
- Which mix-up did you enjoy most?
How did you feel about the revelation of Tom's true mother and Blifil's schemes?
Keep the conversation going
- Is the happy ending earned?
- What has Tom learned by the end?
There is no single right answer. Bring your own reading.