# Molly Seagrim — The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling character guide

> Molly Seagrim in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding.

**Role:** supporting

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

**First appearance:** 0001-the-history-of-tom-jones-a-foundling

## Snapshot

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

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Tom Jones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/characters/tom_jones)

_romantic_

Molly Seagrim has a brief, passionate affair with Tom, which causes complications with Sophia.

### [Tom Jones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/characters/tom_jones)

_romantic_

Molly Seagrim has a brief, passionate affair with Tom, which causes complications with Sophia.

### [Tom Jones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/characters/tom_jones)

_romantic_

Molly Seagrim has a brief, passionate affair with Tom, which causes complications with Sophia.

## In the story

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/vii)

Dresses in the sack sent by Sophia and goes to church, attracting attention and ridicule.

### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/viii)

Engages in a violent fight with Goody Brown in the churchyard; rescued by Tom Jones.

### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/ix)

Defends her pregnancy and refuses to go into service, flaunting money from her gentleman.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/x)

The young woman whose pregnancy and churchyard brawl are the subject of Mr. Supple's news.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/xi)

Arrested and about to be sent to the house of correction, but is released after Tom's intervention.

### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/xii)

Reported to be pregnant and has named Tom Jones as the father; the scandal prompts Sophia's emotional turmoil.

### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/iii)

Tom imagines her in poverty and distress, and fears the consequences of deserting her, including prostitution and social ruin.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/iv)

Mentioned as the recipient of Sophia's charitable visit.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/v)

Upbraids Tom for forsaking her after ruining her, but is silenced when Square is revealed behind the rug.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/vi)

Her infidelity with Will Barnes is revealed; Tom learns he was not her first seducer, which mitigates his guilt.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/x)

Approaches Jones in the grove; they retire together into the thickest part.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/characters/molly_seagrim
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/characters