The presence of a new-born baby changes the attitude of whoever it encounters, whether for better or worse. In Henry Fielding’s novel, Tom Jones, readers encounter a similar situation in which a new-born baby casts an effect on the characters. Though the baby is presented to the characters in a similar manner, both Mr. Allworthy and Mrs. Deborah Wilkins react differently. Fielding uses the technique of juxtaposition to create a strong contrast between the characterization of Mr. Allworthy and Mrs. Deborah Wilkins, along with the use of diction to create a lasting impression of both characters. The characterization of Mr. Allworthy is one of gentleness and tranquility. Fielding begins the paragraph with Mr. Allworthy coming home from “a short
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Towards the end of the passage, the effect of the baby’s presence on Mr. Allworthy’s character is truly revealed in the way “one of his fingers [is into] the infant’s hand, which, by its …show more content…
Allworthy. Notably, Fielding establishes Mrs. Wilkins’ prudish nature in which he mentions, “the fifty-second year if her age, vowed she had never behold a man without his coat…” (40-41). This small addition that Fielding includes in the passage introduces to the audience that Mrs. Wilkins has never been in a maternal position due to the fact that she has never seen a man without a shirt. Furthermore, the theme of Mrs. Wilkins’ prudishness continues in the way she addresses the infant as a “fellow-creature” and its mother a “hussy” (51,56). The emotions and thoughts the sight of the new-born awakens in Mrs. Wilkins is hostility and disgust, rather than the gentleness and compassion of Mr. Allworthy. Mrs. Wilkins’ diction towards the baby reveals that she is an unsympathetic person which is ironic considering she represents the womanly figure in the passage. The most compelling evidence of Mrs. Wilkins’ outlook on life is within a statement she makes towards the end of the passage, “better for such creatures to die in a state of innocence, than to grow up and imitate their mothers; for nothing better can be expected of them” (64-67). The true essence of Mrs. Wilkins’ character is exposed by this one statement. Mrs. Wilkins’ view on the world is filled with such bitterness and cruelty that she rather a new-born baby perish than it have the opportunity to prosper in life. As can be seen, Fielding
Towards the end of the passage, the effect of the baby’s presence on Mr. Allworthy’s character is truly revealed in the way “one of his fingers [is into] the infant’s hand, which, by its …show more content…
Allworthy. Notably, Fielding establishes Mrs. Wilkins’ prudish nature in which he mentions, “the fifty-second year if her age, vowed she had never behold a man without his coat…” (40-41). This small addition that Fielding includes in the passage introduces to the audience that Mrs. Wilkins has never been in a maternal position due to the fact that she has never seen a man without a shirt. Furthermore, the theme of Mrs. Wilkins’ prudishness continues in the way she addresses the infant as a “fellow-creature” and its mother a “hussy” (51,56). The emotions and thoughts the sight of the new-born awakens in Mrs. Wilkins is hostility and disgust, rather than the gentleness and compassion of Mr. Allworthy. Mrs. Wilkins’ diction towards the baby reveals that she is an unsympathetic person which is ironic considering she represents the womanly figure in the passage. The most compelling evidence of Mrs. Wilkins’ outlook on life is within a statement she makes towards the end of the passage, “better for such creatures to die in a state of innocence, than to grow up and imitate their mothers; for nothing better can be expected of them” (64-67). The true essence of Mrs. Wilkins’ character is exposed by this one statement. Mrs. Wilkins’ view on the world is filled with such bitterness and cruelty that she rather a new-born baby perish than it have the opportunity to prosper in life. As can be seen, Fielding