The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling · Character

Molly Seagrim

The gamekeeper's bold, battle-tested daughter, whose affair with Tom Jones ignites parish scandal and tests his loyalties.

supporting

Also known as Seagrim, Molly Seagrim, Moll Seagrim, Moll, lovely Molly, poor Molly, Polly, Miss Molly Seagrim

First appearance: the history of tom jones a foundling

As a supporting figure in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, Molly Seagrim is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Molly is the object of Tom's affection; she is a handsome but bold girl who actively pursued Tom and succeeded in seducing him.

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Molly Seagrim lives on the edge of Allworthy's estate, poor, proud, and unafraid of a fight — as the churchyard brawl with Goody Brown proves. Tom's early passion for her is generous and reckless: he horsewhips the mob, wraps her in his own coat, and carries her home, heedless of the gossip it will feed. Her affair with him exposes the fault lines of class and reputation in the parish, and her troubles force Tom to choose between private desire and the good opinion of the man who raised him.

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Character Web

28 connections

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Relationship types

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Central plot characters
Minor and background figures

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

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Relationships

Tom Jones
romantic · ambivalent
Molly Seagrim has a brief, passionate affair with Tom, which causes complications with… How this plays out →
Tom Jones
romantic · ambivalent
Molly Seagrim has a brief, passionate affair with Tom, which causes complications with… How this plays out →
Tom Jones
romantic · ambivalent
Molly Seagrim has a brief, passionate affair with Tom, which causes complications with… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

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In the story

Molly Seagrim appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

VI
Molly is the object of Tom's affection; she is a handsome but bold girl who actively pursued Tom and succeeded in seducing him.
VII
Dresses in the sack sent by Sophia and goes to church, attracting attention and ridicule.
Chapter VIII
Engages in a violent fight with Goody Brown in the churchyard; rescued by Tom Jones.
Chapter IX
Defends her pregnancy and refuses to go into service, flaunting money from her gentleman.
Chapter X
The young woman whose pregnancy and churchyard brawl are the subject of Mr. Supple's news.
Chapter XI
Arrested and about to be sent to the house of correction, but is released after Tom's intervention.
Chapter XII
Reported to be pregnant and has named Tom Jones as the father; the scandal prompts Sophia's emotional turmoil.
Chapter III
Tom imagines her in poverty and distress, and fears the consequences of deserting her, including prostitution and social ruin.
IV
Mentioned as the recipient of Sophia's charitable visit.
V
Upbraids Tom for forsaking her after ruining her, but is silenced when Square is revealed behind the rug.
VI
Her infidelity with Will Barnes is revealed; Tom learns he was not her first seducer, which mitigates his guilt.
Chapter X
Approaches Jones in the grove; they retire together into the thickest part.

Chapter companion notes

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