The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling Book 10, Chapter 1 Summary & Analysis

The narrator complains about how critics always misinterpret works. He asks critics not to criticize certain parts of the novel just because they don’t seem to fit in with the whole. Furthermore, he says critics shouldn’t complain if certain parts of the novel seem similar, like for example, the landlady in Book 7 and the landlady in Book 9. Finally, the narrator asks critics not to judge characters as evil just because they have some flaws. The narrator believes that noting the flaws in otherwise good characters can make them more sympathetic.

This is not the first time that the narrator has ranted about critics, perhaps reflecting the role that critics played in determining a novel’s legacy. In this chapter, the narrator anticipates some of the potential criticisms of the novel—like the idea that several of the minor characters are basically interchangeable—but ultimately believes that such criticisms don’t matter. This lack of concern toward minor flaws also reflects the narrator’s attitude toward this novel’s characters.

Active Themes

The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling: Book 10, Chapter 1 Summary & Analysis