Abraham Adams in Fieldings Nove

Write a critical analysis of the character of Abraham Adams in Fieldings novel “The Adventures of Joseph Andrews”? Why is Parson Adams described as the novels   true hero?







The novel “The History of the Adventures of Joseph Andrews, and of his Friend Mr. Abraham Adams”   is written by Henry Fielding in the 18th century during the Augustan Age. His novel was the first published full-length of the English author and, and indeed among the first novels in the English language. Published in 1742 and it is a parody of the novel   “Pamela”   from Samuel Richardson.

  At the time the novel was published, the most profound contention that arose between critics was the character of Parson Adams. His personality was carefully developed by Fielding and is markedly the most developed character in the novel. Parson Abraham Adams is described as a radically good albeit naive, man. He is represented as a Samaritan always seeking out the best in people and treating them well. The good nature of Adams   is also his disadvantage because he cannot explain the   failings and dishonesties that mankind is prone too, and so sets himself up to be deceived and disappointed. He bears the name of Abraham, one of the most memorable Biblical characters. He was so dedicated to God that he even after much pleading with the Lord for a child, he was commanded to sacrifice his beloved son on an alter. A parallel can be drawn between the Biblical figure and Fielding’s hero on the basis of their excessive good-heartedness and unprecedented trust in the benevolence lying in God’s will imposed on them.

  Parson Adams is described as the novels true hero because compared to a normal citizen he is more intelligent:” Mr. Abraham Adams was an excellent Scholar. He was a perfect Master of the Greek and Latin Languages; to which he added a great Share of Knowledge in the Oriental Tongues, and could read and translate French, Italian, and Spanish. He applied many years to most sever Study, and...