Henry Fielding's Theory of the Comic Epic in Prose with Particular Reference to Joseph Andrews and Tom Jones

Abstract

Henry Fielding (1707 - 1754) is one of the outstanding English writers of the eighteenth century. His theory of the comic epic in prose is his way to uniqueness, for it is a new kind of writing in its own. In the preface to Joseph Andrews, Fielding states that his theory is a "kind of writing which I do not remember to have seen hitherto attempted in our language" (v). In fact, Fielding's theory of the comic epic in prose has formed the way the novel of today follows. Henry Fielding's theory of the comic epic in prose is expressed in his two novels The History of the Adventures of Joseph Andrews and His Friend Mr. Abraham Adams (1742) and The History of Tom Jones. A Foundling ( 1749).

The present study attempts to examine Henry Fielding's theory of the comic epic in prose as a whole as mentioned in Joseph Andrews and Tom Jones and its application to his two novels mentioned above. However, features of the ancient epic which have not been referred to in the theory of the comic epic in prose by Fielding, but exist in his two novels under research will be examined. This perhaps shows that while expounding his own theory of the comic epic in prose, the traditional epic has influenced his mind. The thesis is divided into three chapters and a conclusion. The frrst chapter serves as a background. It touches upon Henry Fielding's literary career and his life­ experience which probably left an impact upon his mind and art. It gives a definition of the term epic. In addition, it examines the traditions of the epic which is the leading force behind Fielding's formation of his theory. This chapter also deals with Henry Fielding's theory of the comic epic in prose as it is explained by him in his two novels Joseph Andrews and Tom Jones.