What kind of picture do you find about marriage and female sexuality in Tom Jones ? [British Novel June 2019]

    Henry Fielding's novel Tom Jones presents a complex and often satirical view of marriage and female sexuality. Throughout the novel, characters struggle to reconcile their desires and social expectations with the reality of their situation.

On the one hand, the novel depicts the idea of marriage as a crucial social institution, necessary for the maintenance of social order and family stability. However, at the same time, it critiques the notion of marriage as a purely economic transaction, and shows how love and passion can play a role in marital relationships.

In terms of female sexuality, the novel presents a range of attitudes, from prudish condemnation to open celebration. The character of Lady Bellaston, for example, is portrayed as a sexually liberated and assertive woman who seeks pleasure and power on her own terms. On the other hand, characters like Sophia Western and her aunt are shown as virtuous and chaste, adhering to traditional notions of female modesty and morality.

Overall, the novel Tom Jones can be seen as a nuanced exploration of the tensions between social expectations and individual desire, and between traditional values and changing attitudes towards sexuality and gender roles.

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Henry Fielding's novel, Tom Jones, depicts marriage and female sexuality in a complex and multifaceted manner. The novel portrays a society in which marriage is primarily viewed as a means of securing wealth, status, and social mobility. Women are often seen as objects of desire and are expected to marry well in order to improve their social standing.

Female sexuality in the novel is portrayed as both desirable and dangerous. Women who express their sexuality openly, such as Molly Seagrim, are ostracized and labeled as immoral, while men who pursue sexual pleasure are often seen as heroic or admirable. At the same time, the novel also shows that women are capable of using their sexuality as a tool for gaining power and influencing others, as seen in the character of Lady Bellaston.

Marriage in Tom Jones is also depicted as a source of conflict and tension, as characters struggle to balance their desire for love and passion with the social and economic pressures of their society. Tom himself must navigate a series of romantic entanglements and moral dilemmas as he seeks to marry for love rather than for money or status.

Overall, Tom Jones portrays marriage and female sexuality as complex and nuanced issues, shaped by the social and cultural norms of the time. The novel challenges traditional gender roles and attitudes toward sexuality, while also highlighting the tension and contradictions inherent in the society in which it is set.

In Henry Fielding's novel "Tom Jones," marriage is portrayed as a socio-economic alliance between males and females, rather than a representation of ideal love and sentimentality [1][3]. The institution of marriage is also presented as a tool for men to gain power over women, as seen in the scheming of the two Blifil brothers in their pursuit of marriage with Miss Bridget Allworthy [3]. However, female characters in the novel are not merely passive recipients of male sexual advances but are also actively involved in sexual relationships and desires [1]. The novel also presents a clear demarcation between male love and lust, with male characters like Tom Jones demonstrating both traits [1]. Overall, the novel paints a complex picture of marriage and female sexuality in the 18th century, in which the institution of marriage is a means of securing social and economic status, while female sexuality is presented as a significant aspect of the characters' lives [1][3].

References:

[1] "Love and Sexuality in Tom Jones by H. Fielding" [https://studycorgi.com/love-and-sexuality-in-tom-jones-by-h-fielding/]

[3] "Marriage and Female Sexuality in Tom Jones" [https://www.thefreshreads.com/marriage-and-female-sexuality-in-tom-jones/]