《英国文学》课程PPT教学课件（English Literature）Part VI 2 Fielding

Henry Fielding 1707-1754)

Henry Fielding ( 1707 - 1754 )

novelist playwright one of the founders of the English novel the greatest novelist of the 18th century

❖ novelist & playwright ❖ one of the founders of the English novel ❖ the greatest novelist of the 18th century

1.Life ll.Fielding's position lll.Major Works IV.Tom Jones V.Features of Fielding's Novels V.Fielding Richardson

❖ I. Life ❖ II. Fielding’s position ❖ III. Major Works ❖ IV. Tom Jones ❖ V. Features of Fielding’s Novels ❖ V. Fielding & Richardson

1.Life and Career an aristocratic family well educated a deep knowledge of life In order to make a living for himself,he began to write plays and farces for the stage

I. Life and Career ❖ an aristocratic family ❖ well educated ❖ a deep knowledge of life ❖ In order to make a living for himself, he began to write plays and farces for the stage

Soon he became one of the most popular playwrights in London. Most of his dramatic works were satiric comedies. Fielding mercilessly exposed the corruption, hypocrisy and cruelty of the officials

❖ Soon he became one of the most popular playwrights in London. ❖ Most of his dramatic works were satiric comedies. ❖ Fielding mercilessly exposed the corruption, hypocrisy and cruelty of the officials

His plays,of course,caused fear in the government and aroused hatred of the ruling class. In 1737 an act appeared,according to which plays should be brought under direct censorship

❖ His plays, of course, caused fear in the government and aroused hatred of the ruling class. ❖ In 1737 an act appeared, according to which plays should be brought under direct censorship

Fielding could not write plays, and so he ended his career as a playwright and took up the study of law. He was made a judge in 1748

❖ Fielding could not write plays, and so he ended his career as a playwright and took up the study of law. ❖ He was made a judge in 1748

÷sharp burlesques satirizing the government prime minister Sir Robert Walpole Theatrical Licensing Act: directed primarily at him

❖ sharp burlesques ❖ satirizing the government ❖ prime minister Sir Robert Walpole ❖ Theatrical Licensing Act: directed primarily at him

Realized that none of his plays would ever gain the approval of Walpole's new governing body Quit the theater and entered law school and graduated in 1740

❖ Realized that none of his plays would ever gain the approval of Walpole's new governing body ❖ Quit the theater and entered law school and graduated in 1740

Began his novel writing by attacking Samuel Richardson. Published his first novel,Joseph Andrews,1742 a parody of the best-selling novel at the time, Pamela:or Virtue Rewarded,by Samuel Richardson,about a virtuous servant girl

❖ Began his novel writing by attacking Samuel Richardson. ❖ Published his first novel, Joseph Andrews,1742. a parody of the best-selling novel at the time, Pamela: or Virtue Rewarded, by Samuel Richardson, about a virtuous servant girl