Lady Bellaston Character Analysis in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling

Lady Bellaston is a relative of Sophia’s who hosts her when she comes to London. But in spite of her seeming friendliness toward Sophia, she is also conniving, seducing Tom and trying to turn him away from Sophia. On dubious advice, Tom proposes marriage to Lady Bellaston to try to make her break up with him, and Lady Bellaston uses Tom’s proposal letter to upset Sophia and turn her against Tom.

Lady Bellaston Quotes in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling

The The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling quotes below are all either spoken by Lady Bellaston or refer to Lady Bellaston. 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:

It would be tedious to give the particular conversation, which consisted of very common and ordinary occurrences, and which lasted from two till six o’clock in the morning. It is sufficient to mention all of it that is anywise material to this history.

Related Characters: The Narrator (speaker), Lady Bellaston, Tom Jones , Sophia Western

Page Number and Citation: 629

Explanation and Analysis:

“Fie upon it! have more resolution. Are you frightened by the word rape? Or are you apprehensive——? Well! if the story of Helen was modern, I should think it unnatural. I mean the behaviour of Paris, not the fondness of the lady; for all women love a man of spirit.”

Related Characters: Lady Bellaston (speaker), Lord Fellamar, Sophia Western, Tom Jones

Page Number and Citation: 699

Explanation and Analysis:

Lady Bellaston Character Timeline in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling

The timeline below shows where the character Lady Bellaston appears in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Marriage, Romance, and Economics Theme Icon

...Sophia eventually parts ways with Mrs. Fitzpatrick before going to meet her relative in London, Lady Bellaston . (full context)

...that Sophia was in love with Tom. The next morning, Mrs. Fitzpatrick goes to see Lady Bellaston at a very early hour when she can be sure Sophia and Mrs. Honour are... (full context)

...give her back the money from her pocketbook. Just then, there’s a loud noise as Lady Bellaston rushes in to see Tom. They talk briefly but the Irish lord arrives, and Tom... (full context)

...to the woman’s house and learns when she takes off her mask that she’s actually Lady Bellaston . (full context)

Tom and Lady Bellaston have a “conversation” (i.e., sex) that lasts until six o’clock in the morning. Lady Bellaston... (full context)

...summons Partridge, asking him to make change from a 50-pound note. The narrator explains that Lady Bellaston chose to give Tom the money out of a sense of charity, believing him as... (full context)

Tom meets Lady Bellaston that evening and they have another “long conversation.” Eventually, Tom starts to get impatient about... (full context)

While considering what to do next, Tom gets a note from Lady Bellaston telling him that due to an “accident,” she needs to cancel their next meeting. Tom... (full context)

Tom is dressing to go see Lady Bellaston when Mrs. Miller knocks on his door. She wants to introduce Tom to her cousin,... (full context)

Tom arrives at Lady Bellaston ’s early. It turns out Sophia hasn’t left yet, and Lady Bellaston herself isn’t home.... (full context)

...trying to find Sophia’s whereabouts. Sophia begins to forgive Tom when all of a sudden, Lady Bellaston walks in. (full context)

Lady Bellaston says she hopes she isn’t interrupting anything, but Sophia says that she and Tom have... (full context)

Storytelling, Literature, and Structure Theme Icon

After Tom leaves, Lady Bellaston and Sophia each keep up the ruse that Tom is just some kind stranger who... (full context)

Shortly after Tom gets home, he receives a letter from Lady Bellaston telling Tom how much she hates him and Sophia. But not long after that, he... (full context)

Just then, Partridge announces that Mrs. Honour has come to see Tom. Tom tells Lady Bellaston to quickly hide behind his bed. Mrs. Honour angrily accuses Tom of treating Sophia callously.... (full context)

...to extort a bit of money from Tom. As soon as she leaves, a furious Lady Bellaston emerges from hiding. She tries to make Tom show her Sophia’s letter, but he refuses.... (full context)

...returned her 100-pound bank note and asks him not to come back because she thinks Lady Bellaston is on to them. Tom sends Lady Bellaston a note to cancel, saying he’s sick.... (full context)

...knows the whole story of his bastard birth. Tom says he has to leave because Lady Bellaston is coming to visit him. He promises himself this will be the last time he... (full context)

Tom stayed up late, uneasy and still potentially expecting a visit from Lady Bellaston . Eventually, however, sleep gets the better of him. He sleeps in late until a... (full context)

Lady Bellaston may smile on the outside, but she has secretly begun to resent Sophia, whom she... (full context)

One day, Lord Fellamar tells Lady Bellaston that he wants to marry Sophia and that he’s serious about it. Lady Bellaston says... (full context)

Although Lady Bellaston presents herself as important, the society she lives in is quite small, where people tend... (full context)

...true, trying to awkwardly make it seem like it was a joke. Lord Fellamar and Lady Bellaston conspire to allow Lord Fellamar to rape Sophia. He sees nothing wrong with this because... (full context)

The next morning, Sophia says she doesn’t feel safe alone with Lord Fellamar and wants Lady Bellaston to stay with her. Lady Bellaston tells Sophia that she’s a simple country girl who... (full context)

Lady Bellaston now looks on Lord Fellamar with contempt and says he shouldn’t let the word “rape”... (full context)

Lady Bellaston comes in to check on the commotion. Once Mr. Western has calmed a bit, he... (full context)

...Mr. Western. Mrs. Western tries to advise Mr. Western to use a light touch with Lady Bellaston . Mr. Western just wants to grab Sophia and take her back by force, but... (full context)

...things, including reinstating Mrs. Honour as maid. Just then, Partridge rushes in bearing news that Lady Bellaston is approaching. He has Mrs. Honour hide behind the bed, forgetting as he greets Lady... (full context)

Lady Bellaston starts commenting on how good and healthy Tom looks. She is fishing for a kiss,... (full context)

When Tom gets back, he hears Lady Bellaston shout. It turns out she tried to hide from Mr. Nightingale, using the hiding spot... (full context)

Tom returns to his room to find three letters, all from Lady Bellaston , all saying she changed her mind and wants to see him immediately. Mr. Nightingale... (full context)

Tom tells Mr. Nightingale he doesn’t love Lady Bellaston but has gotten too entangled with her. Mr. Nightingale considers the problem, then has an... (full context)

Lady Bellaston writes back saying she is offended at how cold Tom’s marriage proposal is. With Mr.... (full context)

...a letter from Mrs. Honour. In a letter full of poor spelling, she says that Lady Bellaston has hired her, and she is happy in the new job. Tom worries at once... (full context)

...an inn to stay at in the Piccadilly area of London. Having brought Sophia from Lady Bellaston ’s, Mr. Western drops her off there. He tries to get her to consent to... (full context)

...how much Mr. Western tries to prohibit him from seeing Sophia. He goes to see Lady Bellaston the afternoon after he attempted to rape Sophia. Lord Fellamar confesses all about his supposed... (full context)

Lady Bellaston goes to talk with Mrs. Western, who is excited to learn that the wealthy Lord... (full context)

...Black George. In the letter, she mentions that she heard about his marriage proposal to Lady Bellaston and no longer wants to have any contact with him. Tom is in a state... (full context)

...worrying about Lord Fellamar. It soon becomes clear Mr. Western is drunk. According to him, Lady Bellaston and Mrs. Western are all set to just let Sophia marry Lord Fellamar. Allworthy says... (full context)

...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... (full context)

Sophia now has a new maid named Betty, since Mrs. Honour currently works for Lady Bellaston . Betty is simple and gullible. Earlier, Mrs. Western got Betty to tell her all... (full context)

...with Sophia. Mr. Western defends his actions and says he just got a letter from Lady Bellaston about how Tom is free from prison. (full context)

After an awkward silence, Sophia eventually asks Tom about his letter to Lady Bellaston . Tom explains the plan that Mr. Nightingale helped him formulate to make Lady Bellaston... (full context)

...work. Mrs. Fitzpatrick separates from Mr. Fitzpatrick. Mrs. Western makes peace with Sophia, as does Lady Bellaston . Mr. Nightingale the elder purchases an estate for Mr. Nightingale near Tom. Mrs. Waters... (full context)

The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling

Lady Bellaston Character Analysis

Lady Bellaston Quotes in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling

Book 13, Chapter 7 Quotes

Book 15, Chapter 4 Quotes

Lady Bellaston Character Timeline in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling