Instead of dwelling on the life, Paulson (John Hopkins Univ.) provides learned and sensitive readings of all of Fielding's major works and many minor ones. The comments on Fielding's attitudes toward deism and his relationship with William Hogarth are valuable. The scholarship is admirably thorough. Recommended for collections serving upper-division undergraduates and above. Choice
Preface.
1. Student, 1707-1730.
Chronology.
Early Life.
Literary Apprenticeship.
2. Playwright, 1730-1737.
Chronology.
Author of Farce and Comedy.
Libertine and Freethinker.
3. Hackney Writer and Barrister, 1737-1741.
Chronology.
Essayist.
Experiments in Prose and Poetry.
4. Author of Joseph Andrews, 1741-1742.
Chronology.
Anti-Pamela: Character and Action.
The Man in the Work.
5. Author of Tom Jones, 1742-1748.
Chronology.
Man of Letters.
Attorney for the Defense.
Patriot and Historian.
6. Magistrate, 1748-1754.
Chronology.
Reformer.
Author of Amelia.
Autobiography.
In the Wake of Amelia.
Retirement and Death.
Notes.
Bibliography.
Index.