Preface to ‘Joseph Andrews’

In his Preface to Joseph Andrews, field claims that human vices in his novel are never set forth as the objects of ridicule yet detestation. To what extent are Joseph Andrews and Robinson Crusoe concerned with issues of religion?Despite the fact that Joseph Andrews and Robinson Crusoe approach their concern with issues of morality differently, they both(prenominal) interrogate the subject to the extent whereby, through turn up the majority of both novels, they reveal and question existing ideals of decrees principles Robinson Crusoe initiates that aspect of the novels treatment of experience which rivals the confessional autobiography and outdoes other literary forms in bringing us close to the inward moral organism of the individual (Watt, 75). This quote summarises the argument ahead and captures Defoes intentions.It is also one of the umteen critical debates that surround this concern, that accentuate how handle and Defoes involvement in this matter is significant and most revolutionary. Whereas Watts comment below encapsulates what Fielding aims to achieve Fielding gets to broaden our moral sense rather than to intensify its punitive operations against licentiousness. (Watt, 283). Both of the above quotations provide an insight into both writers vernal and innovative approaches that can be considered to be quite rebellious, compared to other works from the eighteenth century.Throughout Andrew Wrights essay titled Joseph Andrews Art as Art, it is argued that Fielding relys that the function of the novel is to provide a paradigm of civilisation which is above the level of ordinary moral imperatives (Wright, 24). Thus, one may assume that Fieldings intention is to set a raised barrier of morality in order to demonstrate how low civilisation measures up to it. He also contends that in that location is much evidence within and outside Fieldings novels to evoke that Fielding did not have high hopes for human beings to require perfect or for family to transform and become flawless.This pessimism entails that human beings are hopeless. However, Fielding wrote in The True Patriot on November 12th, 1745 that there are slightly imperfections perhaps innate in our Constitution, and others too inveterate and established, to be eradicated to these, wise and prudent Men leave alone rather submit, than hazard shocking the Constitution itself by a rash Endeavour to remove them (Wright, 30). This statement implies that Fieldings exploration of vices within the narrative was not designed to change civilisation plainly to reveal its comportment in all veracity.Wright almost discusses the same notion and argues that it is impossible to make a bad man good, and good men will very probably grow wise without much prompting. The function of art, therefore- and if this is not a tautology- is to provide a kind of ideal delight (Wright, 30). Therefore, it is fair to suggest that Fielding does not intend to improve society or change the nature of human kind. Instead, he aims to encourage acceptance of civilisation his revelation of flaws is suppose in order to allow his readers to find a way of rejoicing them.Thus, morality is a significant theme within the narrative and could be argued to be the purpose of the book. The rationale as to why this does not appear obvious or heightened is because it is not a concept of morality that is usually highlighted or celebrated. indoors this balance of rejection and acceptance, Fielding creates a new type of morality and delight and this can be reinforced in book three, chapter three, when Wilson unfolds his tale of moral impairment and debauchery in London I soon prevented it.I represented him in so low a Light to his mistress, and made so good an substance abuse of Flattery, Promises, and PresentsI prevailed the poor Girl, and conveyd her away from her Mother In a word, I debauched her. -(At which Words, Adams started up, fetchd three Strides across the Room, and accordingly replaced himself in his Chair. ) You are not more affected with this part of my story than myself I assure you it will never be sufficiently repented in my birth Opinion (Fielding, 180).This extract promotes acceptance of meanspiritedity and shamelessness. The way in which Adams reacts for a moment and then replaces himself in his chair demonstrates a sense of tolerance plainly also acknowledgment. This is symbolic of Fieldings approach to morality throughout the entire novel it is important to be aware of corruption but to attempt to repent it could cause more damage. Similarly to Joseph Andrews, Robinson Crusoe shows umpteen preoccupations with the concept of morality.However, more so than Fielding (although Fielding also uses this device), Defoe utilises religion in order to go over a social moral code he uses the boundaries and margins of religion in order to measure Robinson Crusoes principles. For example, the novel presents a protestant work ethical code where success i n business, in biography is a message that you will go to heaven. Throughout the novel, Crusoe suggests that God is capitalist and that material increase suggests spiritual happiness and a closer relationship to God.This is evident on many occasions throughout the novel, for example, Crusoe converts Friday to Christianity and relates closer and closer to God as the novel progresses From these things I began to study him in the knowledge of the true God. I told him that the great Maker of all things lived up there, pointing up towards Heaven. That He governs the world by the same Power and miserliness by which He made it. That He was omnipotent, could do everything for us, give everything to us, take everything from us and thus by degrees I opened his eyes. (Defoe, 213). The significance of the theme of morality (or the Protestant religion as it is referred to within the novel) can also be reinforced by the way in which Crusoe teaches and learns intimately religion and p put acro sses about its air to others, much(prenominal) as Friday. This is also evident within Joseph Andrews as the reader witnesses Josephs attempts to gain attributes similar to Joseph from the bible. For example, he is seen as a father grade within his community. Within his essay, Robinson Crusoe and the state of nature, Maximillian E.Novak argues that Defoe was not only delineating the condition of man in the state of nature but also the cultural and governmental evolution which, by transforming the state of nature, created civilisation and government (Novak, 23). This suggests that Defoe contributed to a more polished and advanced society that was in the making at the time of the novels publication. He discusses three opinions on the private physical men that were current in Defoes day one being that despite being isolated, man would achieve the same intellectual and moral condition that he would if he ould were raised in society. (Novak, 23). Although the category that Novak feels Crusoe belongs to is the third whereby he survives his solitude, but he is always afraid, always cautious. Defoe recognised the benefits of the state of nature, but he believed that the freedom and purity of Crusoes island were minor advantages compared to the comfort and security of civilisation. (Novak, 23). This view implies that human beings almost do not exist without society because they are so formulated by society that without it, there is nothing left.Novak suggests this when he states that human beings are more affluent in society than alone and isolated. This therefore entails that it is society that provides our moral grounding and that aspects of society such as religion are prevailing of what we believe to be right and wrong. Thus, religion is our guide to life and what encourages us to follow codes of moral conduct it is Puritan individualism which controls his spiritual being (Watt, 74). This can be emphasised within the text as the reader follows Crusoes spiritua l journey.The reader witnesses how God brings Crusoe back onto the track of Providence which is why he has to learn everything, including how to behave. Throughout Joseph Andrews, religion acts as a principal for people to live by and the characters that live up to the standards are used to set an example, such as Joseph. Creating another relationship between both texts, religion is a way for morality to succeed Fielding makes moral characters virtuous and successful, he also mocks the immoral society that does not have religious beliefs and thus shows that morals equal success.While Defoe shows that religion provides Crusoe with moral demeanour. This has an underlying tone of significance about human beings deportment and what we need to survive, as we observe how Crusoe needs routine and time in order to allow him to feel as though he has control. This also relates to the politically charged atmosphere of the time about the need for a ruling monarchy and colonialism because the proceeds demonstrated how the public were unable to direct their own lives they needed demands from unequivocal figures in order to provide them with comfort and assurance.For example, Crusoe recreates what he knows from England, such as, farming and building In about a year and a half I had a flock of about twelve goats, kids and all and in two years more I had three and forty, besides several that I took and killed for my food. And after(prenominal) that I enclosed five several entraps of ground to feed them in, with little pens to drive them into, to take them as I wanted, an gates out of one piece of ground into another (Defoe, 146).Consequently, both Joseph Andrews and Robinson Crusoe are concerned with morality to the extent that they aim to produce ideals of morality that they believe to be revolutionary compared to the capitalist society from which they derive from. Ian Watt argues that the highest spiritual values had been attached to the performance of the daily task, the next step was for the autonomous individual to regard his achievements as a quasi-divine master of the environment. It is likely that this secularisation of the Calvinist conception of stewardship was of considerable importance for the rise of the novel (Watt, 74).Thus, it can be argued that not only were Joseph Andrews and Robinson Crusoes moral pith innovative and enlightening, they were also significant contributors to the rise of the novel and a new way of thinking. This renaissance can be considered as an essential element of the restoration of the time. The fact that Watt explores both novels and novelists in his book The Rise of the Novel also accentuates this notion. Throughout her critical study of eighteenth century literature, Pat Rogers discusses the background of the writers of the time.She suggests that it was literatures responsibility to reflect reality and also make sense of it to distil general laws and detect patterns in seemingly random occurrences (Rogers , 11). This is evident in both novels, for example, the way in which Fielding crafts a ingenuous representation of the moral state of society within Joseph Andrews Your doll talks of servants as if they were not born of the Christian Specious. Servants have flesh and blood as well as quality (Fielding, 260).It is also a dominant feature of Robinson Crusoe whereby there are many references to the immoral nature of English society greatly concerned to secure myself from any attack in the night, either from wild beasts or men (Defoe, 74). For example, this suggests that men are the equivalent to wild beasts and also just as threatening, implying that men have become corrupt and out of control, showing a lack of consideration for the rest of society. Thus both novels formulate parodies of the truth that reveal the decay of decency and morality.Rogers supports this argument and reinforces both writers methods of portraying such ideals they deal for the most part with the experience of everyday of men and women in society their tone was plain and worldly, they sought to avoid a recondite air, and they address the reader with easy confidencethe actions of other people form the most obvious objects of our moral perceptions when we make moral judgements, we apply ourselves decisions we have made about the behaviour of others. Not only do we perceive that an act is right or wrong, but we assign merit or blame to the perpetrator of the act. (Rogers, 147). To conclude, both novels have dominant themes of morality, Joseph Andrews concentrates on everyday life and behaviour and Robinson Crusoe approaches morality from a broader perspective and through the characteristic of religion. Consequently, both novels attack the negative attributes of society and mankind in a rather satirical manner they observe the truth about peoples principles and encourage enthusiasm for the reader to reach their own conclusions, in order for them to recognise flaws.Not only are both books inno vative and rather rebellious, but they can both be considered as aboriginal stimulants for the rise of the novel. Historical evidence of the eighteenth century and the tradition of writing at the time can also support both writers objectives in incorporating such dominant themes of morality. This is because of the lack of individualism and the control of a newly capitalist civilisation. Therefore, overall there is much evidence to support this argument and many existing critical debates, to suggest that both Fielding and Defoe are deeply concerned with the issues of morality.Both Joseph Andrews and Robinson Crusoe can be read as a reflection of life and human behaviour to the extent whereby they highlight the state of morality and its function within society. Bibliography Bell, A. Ian. Defoes Fiction. Kent Biddles Ltd, 1985. Butt, John. Fielding. London Longmans, Green & Co Ltd, 1959. Defoe, Daniel. Robinson Crusoe. Berkshire Penguin Books Ltd, 1994. Fielding, Henry. Joseph Andrews , Shamela. Oxford Oxford UP, 1999. Novak, E. Maximillian. Defoe and the spirit of Man. Oxford Oxford UP, 1963. Macalister, Hamilton. Literature in Perspective- Fielding. London Evans Brothers Limited, 1967. Paulson, Ronald. Fielding- A Collection of Critical Essays. New Jersey Prentice Hall Inc, 1962. Rogers, Pat. The Context of English Literature- The 18th Century. London Methuen & Co Ltd, 1978. Watt, Ian. The Rise of the Novel. London Chatto & Windus, 1963. Wright, Andrew. Henry Fielding Mask and Feast. London Chatto & Windus, 1968.