The Issue of Morality in Joseph Andrews

Joseph Andrews by Henry Fielding

The Issue of Morality in Joseph Andrews:

The main purpose of Fielding as a novelist is to expose evil, hypocrisy, affectation, falsehood, and pretense. He was a realist, as was Defoe, and his morality is not prudish. He judges people on their heart or basic motivation much more than on their actions, though bad actions are always punished. Fielding’s morality is always warm and compassionate, though fierce when applied to true evil which hurts other people. The effectiveness and humanity of the book’s morality are one of the most attractive features.