The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling Book 9, Chapter 2 Summary & Analysis

As the day breaks, Tom goes on a walk with the Man of the Hill. All of a sudden, they hear the screaming of a half-naked woman (Mrs. Waters) who is being attacked by a ruffian who has his garter around her neck. Tom rushes forward and attacks the ruffian until it’s the woman herself who begs Tom to stop. She is about middle aged and wearing white clothes. Tom suddenly realizes that the man attacking her was in fact the ensign Northerton.

The consistent presence of people being robbed on the road shows the cutthroat nature of life in England, particularly for those who were off traveling on their own. The fact that Northerton was attacking the woman, seemingly to sexually assault or rob her, shows his dismissive attitude toward women, which his earlier lies about Sophia also reflected.

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Northerton is indignant, saying if Tom were a real man, he’d challenge Northerton to a proper duel. Tom ties him up. He leaves briefly to consult with the Man of the Hill, who recommends that Tom carry the woman to nearby Upton. When Tom gets back, Northerton has fled. Mrs. Waters tells Tom not to worry about finding Northerton, so he helps the woman get to Upton.

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Tom’s decision not to duel Northerton shows how he doesn’t view him as an equal worthy of something like dueling, instead just tying him up like a criminal. Their interactions show how there was a complicated code of honor among men in England at the time, with consequences for those who broke it.

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The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling: Book 9, Chapter 2 Summary & Analysis