Discuss Tom Jones as an Anti-Hero.
It was Walter Allen who once remarked that “Tom Jones was a new type of hero; one might
say the unheroic hero”. Other
critics also bear testimony to this statement. Indeed, Fielding’s concept of
hero was radically different. A hero, according to Fielding, may not
essentially be physically brave or ideal, but he should have good intentions
.The heroes in the past had been brave, heroic and extra-ordinary. Fielding
derives away from this tradition and chooses the common men as heroes of his
novels and portrays them with all their weaknesses, sexual immorality,
falsehood etc. Tom Jones is accordingly, a type of hero who stands from common
human nature. He is an altogether divergent human being with all human virtues
and weaknesses occupying a hero’s place in the novel.”Tom Jones, in a way, is a
typical symbol, symbolizing the common virtues, and weakness of everyday life”
(Elizabeth Zenkins).in short, he is, as Allen says,” a depiction of ordinary, weak
man.”
We should dwell upon the good and bad aspects of his character to
justify that he is a hero, but does not possess only heroic qualities; he has
his short comings too, which render him an anti – hero . Tom Jones has been
endowed with a handsome and attractive personality. He is tall, robust and able
– bodied. It is on account of his personality that he enkindles an amorous
sparkle in the hearts of those ladies who happen to come into his contact. He
is good swimmer, a fearless rider and a strong boxer
