Character of Parson Adams in Joseph Andrews

Joseph Andrews

Novel by Henry Fielding

Character of Parson Adams in Joseph Andrews

Although the novel is titled Joseph Andrews, it is Parson Adams who is the centre of interest. Fielding was quite quite aware of this and that is why he added to his title page name of Adams — "The History of Joseph Andrews amd His friend Mr. Abraham Adams." Of Adams Austen Dosson says, "If he is not the real hero of the book he is undoubtedly the character whose fortunes the reader follows with closest interest." Dudden too argues on this point and says, "It is the old foolish passion that is the centre of interest." Digeon describes him as "a comic hero" and goes on to qualify: "indeed a hero, pure and simple if occasion demands."

Adams is one of the most original creations. Fielding himself claims that he "is not be found in any book now extent." It is true that while inventing him, Fielding and his eye on two models — the Don Quixote of cervantes and his own loving friend, the Reverend William Yound. But he is not a literate copy of either of them. Working with the materials which these models furnished, Fielding's imagination evolved the strikingly new conception of the absent minded scholar — Parson — a character of perfect simplicity and at the same time of singular goodness, distinction and charm.

Parson Adams is a curate who lives in the patronage of sir Thomas Boby's parish but has charge of three more chapalries. He conducts services on saint's day, insists an strict observance of the forms of the church and takes an exalted view of the sacred office. “It was his maxim that he was a servant of the highest and could not, without departing from his duty, give up the least article of his honour or of his cause to the greatest Earthly potentate.”

Educated at Cambridge University, has made himself familiar with many languages and in particular, has required a mastery of knowledge of the Greek and Roman Classics. Just as Don Duixote imagine himself living in the finished world of chivalry. So Adams imagined himself living in the vanished world of Greece and Rome. He is ignorant of real world of his own day “as an infant just infered into it could possibly be.” In course of his wonderings on the road, he does experience some made awakening. On one occasion he exclaims “what weakness is there in the Christian world!” I prefer almost equal to what I have read of the heathens.”

Adams get so taken up with his own thoughts that he becomes completely unaware of the practical realities of the everyday world. Fielding puts it very mildly when says he was “a little incline to forgetfulness.” He leaves for London to sell his sermons but on the half way he discovers that he has left the manuscript.

In addition to being absent minded, Parson Adams has some other peculiar ties well. His style of speech is old-fashion and oddly titled and when he gets going on any topic he is likely to be 'prolier' and circumstantial. Mynard Mack points out that if at one level, Adams is daped by everyone he comes across, at another he is “self-declined by a theoretical ideal of conduct that his own nature will not support”

With all his weakness, Parson Adams Is endowed with a singularly noble personality. In fact, he has the spirit of a lot Roman joined to the innounce of a primitive christian. He rejoices in the happiness of others and feels for their wows. In addition to being noble and generous, Adam is a man of incorruptible integrity. He affirms, “Though I am a poor person, I will be bold to say I am an honest man and would not do an ill thing to be made a bishop.” Dudden rightly points out that, “Adams emerges from testing adventures and experience with his sweet temper unsoured, his honorable character unsullied and his innate dignity unimpaired.”