‘JOSEPH ANDREWS’ | A Picaresque Novel

 

Joseph Andrews is one of the masterpieces in English literature. It is generally and frequently remarked about it that there are certain events, which suggest that it is a picaresque novel. Although ‘Joseph Andrews’ cannot be regarded as a picaresque novel in the strict sense of the term yet it has some elements of picaresque novel.

Before proceeding the discussion, it seems to be quite appropriate to define and explain ‘Picaresque Novel’. The word picaresque has been taken from a Spanish word ‘Picaro’. Picaro means a villain, rogue or a vagabond. This type of novel started in 16th century in Spain.

In the picaresque novel, the misadventures or adventures of some rogue or a villain were described. In other words, we can say that it was a tradition of picaresque novel to describe the adventures and misadventures of a rogue.

Spanish writer Cervantes wrote ‘Don Quixote’, which is the most popular Picaresque novel. Thomas Nashe's ‘The Unfortunate Traveler’ is also a Picaresque novel. Le Sage’s ‘Gil Blas’ is a Picaresque novel in French. Henry Fielding also followed the tradition and he wrote ‘Tom Jones’ which is a popular Picaresque novel. Defoe's Moll Flanders is a Picaresque novel. Smollett followed the tradition in ‘Roderick Random’.

'Joseph Andrews' is not a Picaresque novel in the strict sense of the term. But it contains certain features, which are related to Picaresque tradition. There are many advantages of Picaresque novel to the novelist. As we have mentioned above that in Picaresque novel adventures or misadventures of a rogue or a villain are described. In this form of novel, the novelist needs not bother about a well-knit plot. He can describe different episodes, different events and incidents without any consistency keeping in mind the main theme of the story. He can describe a number of different events, incidents and accidents.

The novelist can introduce a number of characters. He can expose different follies absurdities and inconsistencies of the society. He can deal with almost all the people from different walks of life. In this way, he can widen his outlook. So, we can say that it is a form which can be very helpful and useful in novel writing.

In fact, Joseph Andrews shows the elements of a picaresque novel in the beginning of the chapter 10 of Book 1. The tradition of Picaresque novel has been maintained till the end of the Book III.

Joseph sets out on a journey not to satisfy his sense of adventure, whereas it was the tradition of a Picaresque novel. Joseph is a young and handsome boy. His mistress takes fancy to him and tries to the fullest extent to tempt him, but of no use. She dismisses him. Mrs. Slipslop also makes the fullest use of sweet words and oily tongue to allure him but she cannot succeed in her effort.

Joseph is dismissed and sets out on a journey. On the way, he meets the first misadventure when some robbers deprive him of his money and clothes. They give him a thorough beating and throw him into a ditch. He is half-dead and naked. A stage- coach passes by there and they take notice of him. None of them is ready to help him. It is only a poor postillion who comes to help him. In this first misadventure, Fielding gets a golden chance of exposing the affectation, hypocrisy and vanity which were prevailing over the society. Fielding makes the passengers of the stage-coach his butt of ridicule and makes fun of them.

Joseph is conveyed to Tow-Wouse inn where Fielding again makes the fullest use of the situation. He describes the different people of society, who are corrupt. The doctor breaks the first and foremost rule of his sacred profession by denying to attend a naked and penniless foot passenger.

We can say that the writer has tried his best to expose the follies and social evils through the comic situation and misadventures of a chaste boy i.e. Joseph Andrews. Fielding introduces a Parson, who is interested in drinking. Mr. and Mrs. Tow-Wouse have also been satirised. Mrs. Tow-Wouse says;

 

“Common charity my f―t.”

 

It is only an immoral girl Betty who helps Joseph. In these two misadventures, Fielding has described a number of facts rather cruelties of the callous human beings.

When Parson Adams becomes an active character, the picaresque element takes a more humorous turn. Parson Adams also meets several misadventures on the road. He meets a man namely ‘Patriot’ who opines that all the cowards should be sentenced to death because the cowards have no right to live in the world. The very next moment he hears screaming and turns pale. He runs away from there. Parson Adams goes to face the situation.

Fanny is trapped and Parson Adams runs to her rescue. This scene is also an important part of picaresque novel. Parson Adams saves her from the clutches of a vagabond in a specific ‘Romance’ style. Parson and Fanny are charged with theft and they are taken before a judge. Through such interesting and amusing incidents, Fielding has made many things quite clear. He has exposed the follies, absurdities, exploitation and social injustice.

Parson Adams meets another misadventure when the squire of hunting takes delight in letting his hounds loose on Parson Adams.

The stories of Leonara and Mr. Wilson are also according to the picaresque tradition. The only difference is that the digressions of picaresque novels were interludes and these stories are a part of the main story of the novel. Leonara's story exposes the fashions of London life and faithlessness of young ladies. The story of Mr. Wilson also acquaints us with the London life and the main relation between the story of Mr. Wilson and the main story is that Joseph is proved to be Mr. Wilson's son and a great conflict is resolved. When Parson Adams jumps out of Peter Pounce's carriage, the picaresque elements of the novel come to an end.

To conclude, we can say that Joseph Andrews is not a regular picaresque novel. It has some elements of picaresque novel and some other features are also included in the novel. However, the writer has made the fullest use of advantages of the picaresque tradition. This discussion enables us to make the proper and reasonable conclusion that to call Joseph Andrews a picaresque novel only is to violate the truth because it is one merit of this novel, its popularity does not rest wholly and solely on its being a picaresque novel. The novel shows influence of various literary forms besides the picaresque elements.