The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling
The benevolent gentleman who discovers and decides to raise the foundling Tom Jones.
Book I
The benevolent gentleman who discovers the foundling in his bed.
Chapter II
Introduced as a gentleman favored by Nature and Fortune, with a benevolent heart and a large estate; a widower who lost his wife and three children.
Chapter III
Returns home after a quarter-year in London, discovers an infant in his bed, and shows compassion by ordering care for the child.
IV
Reveals the foundling to his sister, resolves to raise the child as his own, and walks forth on his terrace contemplating benevolence.
VI
Receives Mrs. Deborah's report and is surprised; he had intended to help Jenny with a marriage and living.
Chapter VII
Delivers a moral lecture to Jenny, acting as both magistrate and benefactor.
Chapter VIII
His interview with Jenny Jones is overheard; his lenient treatment of her is discussed by the women.
IX
Shows leniency to Jenny, but becomes the target of malicious gossip accusing him of being the foundling's father.
Chapter II
Described as a generous host whose house and heart are open to all, especially men of merit. He is a competent judge of literature despite lacking a formal education.
XI
Mr. Allworthy remains unaware of the courtship, as the lovers maintain a distant behavior in his presence.
Chapter XII
Delivers a sermon on the true foundations of marriage and graciously accepts his sister's marriage to Captain Blifil.
XIII
Speaks to the captain on behalf of the doctor and expresses resentment against an unforgiving temper.
Book II
Observes the marriage and family dynamics during the first two years.
Chapter II
Continues to show affection for the foundling Tommy, proposes raising him with his sister's newborn, and defends the child's innocence against Captain Blifil's arguments.
III
Mentioned as adding an annuity of ten pounds to the schoolmaster's income, enabling him to enjoy Christmas.
V
Engages in a theological debate on charity with Captain Blifil, defends the virtue of generosity, and learns of Partridge's alleged paternity.
VI
Presides as judge over Partridge's trial, ultimately convicting him and depriving him of his annuity.
VII
Allworthy grows fonder of little Tommy and overlooks the captain's faults, unaware of the full extent of the couple's discord.
Chapter VIII
The object of Captain Blifil's schemes; his fortune is the focus of the captain's calculations.
IX
Anxious about the captain's absence; later oversees the attempt to revive him and commissions an epitaph.
Book III
Mr. Allworthy's household is the setting for the chapter's events.
I
Mentioned as having felt grief for the loss of his friend, which was moderated by philosophy and religion.
Chapter II
Initially angry at Tom's trespass, later relents and shows compassion, apologizing and giving Tom a horse.
Chapter III
Interrupts the dispute between Square and Thwackum, stating they have mistaken his meaning about true honour, and is about to quiet them when another matter arises.
Chapter IV
Presides over the dispute between the boys, listens to Tom's confession, and dismisses them with a call for peace.
V
Shows discernment by valuing Tom's fidelity over the tutors' censure, but dismisses Black George for lying, reflecting his commitment to justice.
VI
Showers favor on Tom Jones, causing Mrs. Blifil's secret displeasure.
VII
His compassion for Master Blifil, who is detested by his own mother, leads him to view the youth's virtues through a magnifying lens and his faults as nearly imperceptible; he begins to favor Blifil as Tom rises in Mrs. Blifil's affections.
Chapter VIII
Reprimands Tom for disrespect but is moved to tears by his charitable motive; advises Tom to come to him in future distress.
IX
Withholds judgment on Tom's Bible sale; is moved by the plight of Black George's family and offers aid.
In which Master Blifil and Jones appear in different lights
Angered by the news of Black George's poaching, he forbids Tom from interceding further.
Book IV
Allworthy remains a key authority figure, influencing the lives of those around him.
Chapter III
Present at the dinner, he intervenes to calm Thwackum and questions Blifil about the disturbance.
IV
Defends Tom's motive as generous rather than unworthy, and calls for his coach to end the debate.
V
Approves of Tom's actions; not moved by Blifil's and others' malice.
VII
Exerts his authority to restore decency in the church after the commotion.
Chapter XI
Discharges the mittimus after Tom's confession, but is later influenced by Square's negative interpretation of Tom's actions.
Chapter XII
Mentioned as being angry with Tom Jones over the Molly affair, refusing to see him.
Book V
Allworthy falls seriously ill, causing concern and revealing the true nature of those around him.
Chapter II
Visits Tom daily, offering mild advice and promising forgiveness if Tom reforms.
Chapter III
Tom feels more than filial piety toward him and knows Allworthy would abhor any baseness or treachery.
V
Referenced as having strictly forbidden Tom from seeing Molly again.
Chapter VII
Lying on his sickbed, he delivers a philosophical speech on death and announces his will, showing calmness and generosity.
Chapter VIII
Begins to recover from his illness; receives news of his sister's death with resignation.
Chapter IX
Is recovering from illness; sleeps peacefully while Tom watches over him.
Book VI
Allworthy, though deceived by Blifil's schemes, remains a figure of authority and moral gravity, though his judgment is clouded by the false evidence against Tom.
Chapter III
Receives the proposal with composure, praising Sophia and agreeing conditionally on the young people's mutual consent.
IV
Communicates the marriage proposal to Blifil and writes to Western.
V
Allworthy is mentioned as having consented to the proposed match between Sophia and Mr. Blifil.
In which Mr. Western visits Mr. Allworthy
Listens to Western's accusations and later to Blifil's revelations, struggling to reconcile his affection for Tom with the mounting evidence against him.
XI
Delays sentencing Tom, delivers a stern harangue listing Tom's crimes, and banishes him with a gift of five hundred pounds.
Chapter XII
Referenced as the one who banished Jones and to whom Jones wrote a letter promising to quit his love.
Book VII
His judgments and influence shape the course of events.
II
Referenced as the uncle who commanded the letter and withdrew his favour from Jones.
Chapter VI
Is deceived by Blifil's equivocations and Western's assurances, agreeing to the marriage treaty.
X
Mentioned as the squire who raised Tom, now turned out of doors.
II
Praised by Jones for his benevolence; Jones acknowledges being raised by him as a foundling and then banished.
IV
Mentioned as the squire who raised Jones and may be his father.
V
Benjamin inquires about Allworthy, and Jones reflects on his dismissal, suspecting villainous arts were used against him.
VII
Allworthy is mentioned as the father figure Jones is believed to have run away from; Partridge hopes to reconcile them.
Book XII
His influence looms over the characters' actions.
VII
Mentioned as the person from whom Partridge believes Jones has run away.
Chapter X
Mentioned as the good squire who disinherited Tom; Tom defends his virtue and denies being a relation.
Chapter V
Mentioned as Mrs. Miller's benefactor who provided financial support after her husband's death.
Book XVI
Allworthy's influence looms over the events, as his judgments and past decisions continue to affect the characters' fates.
VI
Reluctantly consents to Blifil's pursuit of Sophia, prioritizing her free consent.
Book XVII
Allworthy is absent from London but his influence and past decisions continue to affect Tom's fate.
Chapter II
Surprised and conflicted, he listens to Blifil's accusations and Mrs. Miller's defense of Tom.
Chapter III
Argues eloquently against forced marriage, praising Sophia's modesty and deference, and insists on no violence or confinement.
Chapter VII
Listens to Mrs. Miller's plea for Jones, defends Blifil, but agrees to help with the Nightingale matter.
Book XVIII
Tom's uncle and benefactor, who learns the truth about Tom's parentage and reconciles with him.
III
Visits old Nightingale, discovers Black George's hoarded bank-bills, and hears good reports about Jones from Nightingale and Mrs. Miller, leading to a softening of his anger.
IV
Recipient of both letters; reflects on Thwackum's character and his own decisions regarding the tutor.
Chapter V
Questions Blifil about Dowling, forgives him, and proposes visiting Jones in prison.
VI
Allworthy interrogates Partridge, expresses shock at the revelations, and agrees to speak privately with Mrs. Waters.
VII
Learns the truth about Tom's parentage and expresses astonishment and regret.
Chapter VIII
Listens to Western's complaints, agrees to reason with Sophia, and later confronts Dowling about his actions.
IX
Visits Sophia to relieve her from marriage pressure, reveals Blifil's villainy and Jones's true parentage, and later counsels Squire Western on gentle treatment of his daughter.
Wherein the history begins to draw towards a conclusion
Reunites with Tom, reveals Blifil's treachery, and advises Tom on prudence and virtue.
XI
Discovers Black George's theft, condemns ingratitude, but is moved by Tom's mercy toward Blifil.
Chapter XII
Accompanies Tom to Western's house, whispers to Western that Sophia is the finest creature, and later is pulled aside by Western for private business. He declines Western's invitation to sup, citing a prior engagement.
Chapter the Last
Generously provides for Tom and Sophia, settles an annuity on Blifil, and takes Mr. Abraham Adams into his house.
