Preface to ‘Joseph Andrews’

In his Preface to Joseph Andrews, field claims that charitable vices in his novel atomic number 18 never set forth as the objects of laugh at however detestation. To what outcome be Joseph Andrews and Robinson Crusoe concerned with issues of righteousness? contempt the fact that Joseph Andrews and Robinson Crusoe border on their concern with issues of righteousity differently, they twain interrogate the win to the extent whereby, end-to-end the majority of twain novels, they issue and question active ideals of societys principles Robinson Crusoe initiates that aspect of the novels treatment of jazz which rivals the confessional autobiography and outdoes other literary forms in bringing us completion to the inward good world of the individual (Watt, 75). This quote summa encouragements the argument ahead and captures Defoes intentions.It is similarly one of the many unfavourable debates that surround this concern, that express how field and Defoes involvement in this matter is signifi cigarettet and almost revolutionary. Whereas Watts comment be depleted encapsulates what palm aims to achieve handle attempts to broaden our moral smell rather than to intensify its punitive trading operations against licentiousness. (Watt, 283). Both of the above quotations grant an insight into twain writers new and innovational(a) approaches that grass be considered to be quite rebellious, compared to other works from the 18th century.throughout Andrew Wrights essay titled Joseph Andrews Art as Art, it is argued that Fielding believes that the function of the novel is to provide a paradigm of civilization which is above the level of ordinary moral imperatives (Wright, 24). Thus, one may assume that Fieldings intention is to set a raised barrier of moral philosophy in order to demonstrate how low civilisation measures up to it. He also contends that in that location is much try out indoors and outside Fieldings novels to suggest that Fiel ding did non yield high hopes for human beings to become perfect or for society to shift and become flawless.This pessimism entails that human beings are hopeless. However, Fielding wrote in The True patriot on November 12th, 1745 that there are some imperfections perhaps innate in our Constitution, and others too inveterate and established, to be eradicated to these, wise and prudent Men go forth rather submit, than hazard shocking the Constitution itself by a judicious Endeavour to remove them (Wright, 30). This claimment implies that Fieldings exploration of vices inwardly the narrative was not designed to change civilisation but to reveal its comportment in theatre of operationsly veracity.Wright almost discusses the same notion and argues that it is unacceptable to give rise a bad man good, and good men de eccentric very probably grow wise without much prompting. The function of art, therefore- and if this is not a tautology- is to provide a kind of ideal delight (Wright, 30). Therefore, it is light to suggest that Fielding does not intend to improve society or change the personality of human kind. Instead, he aims to encourage acceptance of civilisation his revelation of flaws is formulated in order to allow his readers to find a counseling of rejoicing them.Thus, morality is a signifi chamberpott theme deep down the narrative and could be argued to be the purpose of the book. The rationale as to wherefore this does not appear obvious or heightened is because it is not a imagination of morality that is usually highlighted or celebrated. Within this balance of rejection and acceptance, Fielding creates a new type of morality and happiness and this can be reinforced in book three, chapter three, when Wilson unfolds his tale of moral deterioration and debauchery in capital of the United Kingdom I soon prevented it.I represented him in so low a Light to his mistress, and made so good an Use of Flattery, Promises, and PresentsI prevailed t he poor Girl, and conveyd her away from her Mother In a word, I debauched her. -(At which Words, Adams started up, fetchd three Strides across the Room, and and then replaced himself in his Chair. ) You are not much affected with this part of my accounting than myself I assure you it will never be sufficiently repented in my own Opinion (Fielding, 180).This extract promotes acceptance of immorality and shamelessness. The way in which Adams reacts for a moment and then replaces himself in his chair demonstrates a sense of tolerance but also acknowledgment. This is symbolic of Fieldings approach to morality throughout the entire novel it is important to be witting of corruption but to attempt to repent it could cause more damage. as well to Joseph Andrews, Robinson Crusoe shows many preoccupations with the concept of morality.However, more so than Fielding (although Fielding also uses this device), Defoe utilises pietism in order to determine a social moral code he uses the boun daries and margins of religion in order to measure Robinson Crusoes principles. For example, the novel presents a protestant work ethic where success in business, in life is a message that you will go to heaven. throughout the novel, Crusoe suggests that matinee idol is capitalistic and that material increase suggests spiritual happiness and a closer relationship to God.This is unmistakable on many occasions throughout the novel, for example, Crusoe converts Friday to Christianity and relates closer and closer to God as the novel progresses From these things I began to get wind him in the knowledge of the true God. I told him that the great Maker of all things lived up there, pointing up towards Heaven. That He governs the world by the same violence and Providence by which He made it. That He was omnipotent, could do everything for us, earn everything to us, take everything from us and thus by degrees I opened his eyes. (Defoe, 213). The importee of the theme of morality (or t he Protestant religion as it is referred to within the novel) can also be reinforced by the way in which Crusoe teaches and learns approximately religion and preaches nearly its glory to others, such as Friday. This is also evident within Joseph Andrews as the reader witnesses Josephs attempts to gain attributes similar to Joseph from the bible. For example, he is seen as a father figure within his community. Within his essay, Robinson Crusoe and the situate of nature, Maximillian E.Novak argues that Defoe was not solo delineating the condition of man in the state of nature but also the cultural and political evolution which, by transforming the state of nature, created civilisation and government (Novak, 23). This suggests that Defoe contributed to a more polished and advanced society that was in the making at the time of the novels publication. He discusses three opinions on the private physical men that were up-to-date in Defoes day one being that despite being isolated, man would achieve the same intellectual and moral condition that he would if he ould were raised in society. (Novak, 23). Although the category that Novak feels Crusoe belongs to is the third whereby he survives his solitude, but he is always afraid, always cautious. Defoe recognised the benefits of the state of nature, but he believed that the freedom and purity of Crusoes island were minor advantages compared to the comfort and security of civilisation. (Novak, 23). This take implies that human beings almost do not exist without society because they are so formulated by society that without it, there is nothing left.Novak suggests this when he states that human beings are more affluent in society than exclusively and isolated. This therefore entails that it is society that provides our moral grounding and that aspects of society such as religion are dominant of what we believe to be right and wrong. Thus, religion is our guide to life and what encourages us to follow codes of mora l conduct it is puritan individualism which controls his spiritual being (Watt, 74). This can be emphasised within the text as the reader follows Crusoes spiritual journey.The reader witnesses how God brings Crusoe back onto the track of Providence which is why he has to relearn everything, including how to be wear. Throughout Joseph Andrews, religion acts as a principal for people to live by and the characters that live up to the standards are used to set an example, such as Joseph. Creating another relationship between both texts, religion is a way for morality to succeed Fielding makes moral characters virtuous and successful, he also mocks the immoral society that does not have religious beliefs and thus shows that ethics equal success.While Defoe shows that religion provides Crusoe with moral demeanour. This has an underlying tone of significance nigh human beings demeanour and what we need to survive, as we observe how Crusoe needs number and time in order to allow him to feel as though he has control. This also relates to the politically charged atmosphere of the time virtually the need for a ruling monarchy and colonialism because the restoration demonstrated how the public were unavailing to direct their own lives they needed demands from authoritative figures in order to provide them with comfort and assurance.For example, Crusoe recreates what he knows from England, such as, farming and building In about a year and a half I had a raft of about twelve goats, kids and all and in two years more I had three and forty, besides several that I took and killed for my food. And after that I enclosed five several ensnares of ground to feed them in, with little pens to stab them into, to take them as I wanted, an gates out of one piece of ground into another (Defoe, 146).Consequently, both Joseph Andrews and Robinson Crusoe are concerned with morality to the extent that they aim to produce ideals of morality that they believe to be revolutionary compa red to the capitalist society from which they derive from. Ian Watt argues that the highest spiritual values had been attached to the murder of the daily task, the next step was for the autonomous individual to regard his achievements as a quasi-divine mastering of the environment. It is likely that this secularisation of the Calvinist conception of stewardship was of goodly importance for the rise of the novel (Watt, 74).Thus, it can be argued that not only were Joseph Andrews and Robinson Crusoes moral content innovative and enlightening, they were also significant contributors to the rise of the novel and a new way of thinking. This renaissance can be considered as an essential element of the restoration of the time. The fact that Watt explores both novels and novelists in his book The Rise of the Novel also accentuates this notion. Throughout her comminuted study of eighteenth century literature, Pat Rogers discusses the context of the writers of the time.She suggests that it was literatures responsibility to reflect reality and also make sense of it to distil general laws and detect patterns in apparently haphazard occurrences (Rogers, 11). This is evident in both novels, for example, the way in which Fielding crafts a ingenuous representation of the moral state of society within Joseph Andrews Your maam talks of servants as if they were not born of the Christian Specious. Servants have chassis and blood as well as quality (Fielding, 260).It is also a dominant feature of Robinson Crusoe whereby there are many references to the immoral nature of side of meat society greatly concerned to secure myself from any fight in the night, either from wild beasts or men (Defoe, 74). For example, this suggests that men are the equivalent to wild beasts and also just as threatening, implying that men have become corrupt and out of control, showing a insufficiency of comity for the rest of society. Thus both novels formulate parodies of the truth that reveal t he dilapidate of decency and morality.Rogers supports this argument and reinforces both writers methods of portraying such ideals they deal for the most part with the experience of everyday of men and women in society their tone was plain and worldly, they sought to avoid a recondite air, and they addressed the reader with flabby confidencethe actions of other people form the most obvious objects of our moral perceptions when we make moral judgements, we apply ourselves decisions we have made about the behaviour of others. Not only do we perceive that an act is right or wrong, but we assign merit or blame to the perpetrator of the act. (Rogers, 147). To conclude, both novels have dominant themes of morality, Joseph Andrews concentrates on everyday life and behaviour and Robinson Crusoe approaches morality from a broader perspective and through the characteristic of religion. Consequently, both novels attack the veto attributes of society and mankind in a rather satirical mood th ey observe the truth about peoples principles and encourage eagerness for the reader to reach their own conclusions, in order for them to recognise flaws.Not only are both books innovative and rather rebellious, but they can both be considered as fundamental stimulants for the rise of the novel. Historical evidence of the eighteenth century and the tradition of writing at the time can also support both writers objectives in incorporating such dominant themes of morality. This is because of the lack of individualism and the control of a newly capitalist civilisation. Therefore, overall there is much evidence to support this argument and many existing critical debates, to suggest that both Fielding and Defoe are deeply concerned with the issues of morality.Both Joseph Andrews and Robinson Crusoe can be read as a reflection of life and human behaviour to the extent whereby they highlight the state of morality and its function within society. Bibliography Bell, A. Ian. Defoes Fiction. Kent Biddles Ltd, 1985. Butt, John. Fielding. London Longmans, Green & Co Ltd, 1959. Defoe, Daniel. Robinson Crusoe. Berkshire Penguin Books Ltd, 1994. Fielding, Henry. Joseph Andrews, Shamela. Oxford Oxford UP, 1999. Novak, E. Maximillian. Defoe and the spirit of Man. Oxford Oxford UP, 1963. Macalister, Hamilton. Literature in Perspective- Fielding. London Evans Brothers Limited, 1967. Paulson, Ronald. Fielding- A prayer of Critical Essays. New Jersey Prentice Hall Inc, 1962. Rogers, Pat. The Context of English Literature- The Eighteenth Century. London Methuen & Co Ltd, 1978. Watt, Ian. The Rise of the Novel. London Chatto & Windus, 1963. Wright, Andrew. Henry Fielding Mask and Feast. London Chatto & Windus, 1968.