Joseph Andrews

Joseph Andrews

by

Henry Fielding

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Strawberry Mark Symbol Analysis

Strawberry Mark Symbol Icon

The strawberry mark on Joseph Andrews’s chest symbolizes the importance of heredity in 18th-century Britain and how it defined a person’s social class, but it also perhaps provides some humorous commentary on it. The mark plays an important role in the plot, as it confirms that Joseph is the gentleman Wilson’s son. This is extremely important, because it gives Joseph the status to marry his true love Fanny and to live comfortably with her. But there is also something funny about his birthmark looking like a strawberry, rather than something more noble or majestic. A strawberry is a small fruit, and the mark on Joseph is small, suggesting how, from an outside perspective, heredity and social status might not be so significant, despite their massive significance to the events of the story.

Strawberry Mark Quotes in Joseph Andrews

The Joseph Andrews quotes below all refer to the symbol of Strawberry Mark. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Hypocrisy Theme Icon
).
Book 3, Chapter 4 Quotes

The gentleman answered, he should know him amongst ten thousand, for he had a mark on his left breast of a strawberry, which his mother had given him by longing for that fruit.

Related Characters: The Narrator (speaker), Joseph Andrews, Abraham Adams, Fanny (Frances Goodwill), Wilson, Harriet
Related Symbols: Strawberry Mark
Page Number: 232
Explanation and Analysis:
Book 4, Chapter 15 Quotes

“Yes, he had as fine a strawberry as ever grew in a garden.” This Joseph acknowledged, and, unbuttoning his coat, at the intercession of the company, showed to them.

Related Characters: Gaffar and Gammar Andrews (speaker), Joseph Andrews, Abraham Adams, The Pedlar, Wilson, Dick
Related Symbols: Strawberry Mark
Page Number: 328
Explanation and Analysis:
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Strawberry Mark Symbol Timeline in Joseph Andrews

The timeline below shows where the symbol Strawberry Mark appears in Joseph Andrews. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Book 3, Chapter 4
Social Class Theme Icon
...son if he ever saw him again, since he has a mark shaped like a strawberry on his left breast. (full context)
Book 4, Chapter 15
Social Class Theme Icon
Religion and Charity Theme Icon
...the child had a mark on its chest, and she responds that Joseph has a strawberry mark. Joseph takes off his shirt to prove that the mark is still there. (full context)
Lust vs. Chastity Theme Icon
Social Class Theme Icon
...to visit parson Abraham Adams. He was the one who lost a son with a strawberry mark on his chest, and when he sees Joseph, he is delighted. Everyone is happy... (full context)