The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling Book 17, Chapter 6 Summary & Analysis

Mrs. Miller goes to Sophia with Tom’s letter. Sophia is reluctant to accept a letter from Tom, but Mrs. Miller goes on at length about what a great person Tom is. Sophia eventually accepts the letter. When she’s alone she reads over it several times, but it’s mostly just Tom saying how unworthy he is of her. He ends by saying he never intended to marry Lady Bellaston. That evening, Sophia is forced to go to dinner with Mrs. Western and join Lady Thomas Hatchet’s drum (card-playing social group). Lord Fellamar is also part of the drum, and the whole time, Sophia feels an oppressive melancholy.

Once again, Tom’s kindness to Mrs. Miller pays off as she plays a role in beginning to convince Sophia to give Tom another chance. By this point Sophia’s anger has begun to wear off, and the drum that she joins with Mrs. Western is a grim preview of what her life might be like if she goes along with the wishes of Mrs. Western or Mr. Western. Sophia realizes that because she is so vulnerable, she has to try to make a decision to avoid getting caught in a forced marriage.

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The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling: Book 17, Chapter 6 Summary & Analysis