1.4 Henry Fielding and the picaresque tradition

Henry Fielding's work marks a pivotal moment in the English novel. He blended the picaresque tradition with satire, creating a new form of comic fiction that critiqued society through humor and irony.

Fielding's approach differed from his contemporaries. He used an omniscient narrator, episodic structure, and diverse characters to explore social issues, setting the stage for future developments in the novel form.

Picaresque Novel Tradition

Origins and Key Features

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• Picaresque novel originated in 16th-century Spain featuring episodic adventures of a roguish protagonist from a lower social class
• First-person narrative characterizes picaresque novels creating an intimate and often unreliable perspective
• Satirical tone permeates picaresque works critiquing social norms and institutions through humor and irony
• Realism emphasized in picaresque tradition depicting harsh realities of lower-class life in corrupt societies (poverty, crime, social injustice)
• Loose, episodic plot structure distinguishes picaresque novels from tightly constructed narrative arcs
  • Allows for a series of adventures or misadventures
  • Facilitates exploration of various social settings and characters

Influence on 18th-Century English Literature

• Narrative style of picaresque tradition adopted by English authors shaping the development of the novel form
• Social critique central to picaresque elements in English literature exposing societal flaws and hypocrisies
• Focus on marginalized characters brought new perspectives to English literature giving voice to previously overlooked social groups
• Vehicle for exploring themes of social mobility, morality, and the human condition in 18th-century novels
• Blend of humor, realism, and social commentary in picaresque-influenced works contributed to the novel's evolution as a distinct literary form
• Adaptations of picaresque conventions in English literature included:
  • Incorporation of satirical elements (exaggeration, irony)
  • Use of episodic structure to explore diverse social settings
  • Development of morally ambiguous protagonists

Satire in Fielding's Novels

Narrative Techniques

• Distinctive narrative voice combines omniscient commentary with direct reader addresses creating satirical distance from characters and events
• Irony employed to expose hypocrisy and pretensions of various social classes (aristocracy, clergy)
• Burlesque and parody incorporated to mock literary conventions and societal norms of Fielding's time
• Satirical character names and exaggerated personality traits highlight and critique specific social types and behaviors
• Situational and dramatic irony create humor and underscore thematic points about human nature and society

Social Commentary and Critique

• Focus on issues of class, morality, and the justice system reflecting Fielding's experiences as a magistrate
• Targets specific contemporary issues and figures requiring familiarity with 18th-century English politics and culture for full appreciation
• Exposes corruption and inefficiencies in legal and social institutions (courts, prisons, government)
• Critiques social mobility and the pursuit of wealth often portraying characters attempting to rise above their station
• Examines the concept of virtue and morality across different social classes challenging societal assumptions

Fielding vs Contemporaries

Narrative Approach and Structure

• Fielding employs more omniscient and intrusive narrator compared to first-person or epistolary styles of Richardson and Defoe
• Episodic and picaresque structure in Fielding's works contrasts with linear narratives of Defoe and focused character perspective of Richardson
• Metafictional elements incorporated by Fielding draw attention to novel-writing artifice and engage in literary criticism within works
• Fielding's novels feature more diverse characters representing various social classes compared to narrower focus of Richardson and Defoe

Thematic and Stylistic Differences

• Fielding prioritizes broad social satire and comic situations while Richardson focuses on psychological realism and moral instruction
• Less didactic approach to moral themes in Fielding's works compared to Richardson and Defoe
• Overtly comic and less sentimental tone in Fielding's novels reflects his background in theatrical comedy
• Fielding's works often address wider range of social issues and critiques compared to more focused themes of contemporaries

Fielding's Comic Novel Tradition

Innovation in Form and Style

• Development of "comic epic poem in prose" established new genre blending classical epic structures with contemporary comic sensibilities
• Omniscient, intrusive narrator became significant influence on later comic novelists contributing to free indirect discourse technique development
• Incorporation of social satire and commentary within comic framework set precedent for using humor as vehicle for serious critique in novel form
• Emphasis on plot complexity and large cast of characters influenced structure of subsequent comic novels expanding novel's scope
• Integration of burlesque and parody elements into novel form influenced development of literary satire and metafiction in later generations

Lasting Impact on Comic Fiction

• Exploration of relationship between author, narrator, and reader paved way for more experimental narrative techniques in later comic fiction
• Success in creating morally complex yet sympathetic protagonists established model for character development in comic novels
• Influence on subsequent comic novelists evident in:
  • Use of irony and satire to address social issues
  • Development of multi-layered plots with diverse character ensembles
  • Incorporation of metafictional elements and literary self-awareness
• Fielding's approach to blending humor with social commentary continues to shape contemporary comic fiction and satire