Synopsis on Lawrence Sterne, The Life and Opinions of Tristram

Shandy Gentleman, chapters III-IV

Question 1: How did uncle Toby find out about Tristrams conception?

- We already know that the novel started with this particular moment and a normal
question that would pop up in our heads would be how did he know about it since he
wasnt even there?
- The explanation is easy though, his uncle told him about it, not for the sake of telling
him this story, but for informing him about the incident with the clock. Which led me
to my next question:

Question 2: Why is it so important?

- Not winding a clock seems a minor problem, but not for his father. You see, his father,
Walter Shandy is a very regular man, so much into rutine that he winds the clock
and has intercourse with his wife at the same time, on the first Sunday of the month.
- This was interpreted a bad sign, but how can be something so little be so decessive for
someones faith?

Question 3: Why would these people let themselves be influenced by this incident?

- Because of this matter, everything that Tristram did was blamed on this incident and it
may seem ridiculous that grown ups are letting themselves asprated into this belief,
but things get interesting when he says, at an old age, that this trouble with the clock
will follow him to his grave. There must be something bigger than a common belief.

Question 4: Can small things things be decessive in someones faith?

- After these two chapters, this is a question that needs to be asked.