View source for The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling

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{{Infobox book
 | title = Tom Jones
 | original title = The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling
 | image = 
 | caption = 
 | author = Henry Fielding
 | central theme = 
 | elevator pitch = 
 | genre = Picaresque
 | publication date = February 28, 1749
 | source page exists = 
}}

'''''The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling''''' (or simply '''''Tom Jones''''') is a classic [[Picaresque]] novel by Henry Fielding, telling [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|the adventures of the title protagonist]], a deeply honorable [[Handsome Lech]]. It is full of social [[Parody]] both subtle and ham-handed.

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It has been adapted as two films ([[Tom Jones (1917 film)|1917]] and [[Tom Jones (1963 film)|1963]]), a TV miniseries (1997), and in opera form in [[Tom Jones (Philidor)|1765]] and [[Tom Jones (Edward German)|1907]]. 

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* [[Adaptation Distillation]]: Both the 1960s film and the 1990s miniseries are very faithful to the spirit of the novel and to its content to a fairly large extent (more so in the latter). The latter arguably improves on the book in its presentation of Sophia and its decision to pair Partridge and Mrs. Honour
* [[Better Than a Bare Bulb]]: Fielding loves to comment on the tropes he is using.
* [[Boisterous Bruiser]]: Squire Western is a classic example, and played by [[Brian Blessed]] no less in the 1990s series.
** And then there's [[Large Ham|Hugh Griffith's]] performance in the film.
* [[Bowdlerization]]: The 1997 miniseries lost some very explicit sex when it was aired in the United States. 
* [[Breaking the Fourth Wall]]: The 1963 film was one of the earliest movies for a character to directly address the audience. It actually happens several times, but the scene at the inn is by far the most memorable.
* [[Chick Magnet]] / [[Chivalrous Pervert]] / [[Handsome Lech]]: Ladies really love Tom Jones, and he usually returns the favors and, being a naturally kind-hearted fella, genuinely cares about them. At different times, he shows traits of all three tropes.
* [[Erotic Eating]]: Used in the scene with Tom and Mrs. Waters and famously filmed in the 1960s version.
* [[Heroic Bastard]]: Tom himself
* [[Hollywood Atheist]]: Inverted with Square who basically chooses atheism as an excuse for wrongdoing (because, you know, atheists are immoral) and admittedly, he [[Heel Faith Turn|reforms at the end with a death bed conversion]]. On the other hand, he's still always more likable than the [[Holier Than Thou]] Thwackum and it's clear that he could have been a perfectly good person following his atheistic philosophy.
* [[Incest Is Relative]]: Tom Jones, you need to be more careful about whom you sleep with...
* [[Lemony Narrator]]: Micheál Mac Liammóir's deadpan delivery in the film.
* [[A Man Is Not a Virgin]]: Except Blifil. As another example of his hypocritical virtue.
* [[Meaningful Name]]: Oh, where to begin...
*** Sophie = Wisdom (our hero is on a quest to...dare I say...''acquire'' Sophie???)
*** Mr. Square = Very severe and sharp edged. 
*** Squire Western = Is a pig (yes, this was intentional)
*** Squire Allworthy = Is the kindest, nicest, and actively most-good character in the story.
*** Mr. Thwackum = [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|Need I spell it out?]]
* [[Only a Flesh Wound]]: In the movie: "Mr Jones, you've broken your arm!" "Indeed madame, but I have another to walk you home."
* [[Really Gets Around]]: Most of the ladies in the novel [[Sesquipedalian Loquaciousness|are not averse to promiscuity]].
* [[Sadist Teacher]]: [[Meaningful Name|Thwackum]].
* [[Spiritual Successor]]: To Fielding's earlier novel ''Joseph Andrews''.

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