Submitted to: Sir Aftab

Submitted by: Muhammad Hussain

Semester: second
Section: B

Joseph Andrews:

Central Character
Joseph Andrews is the hero and central character of the novel The History of the
Adventures of Joseph Andrews and of his Friend Mr. Abraham Adams. He is a handsome and
charming boy. He is truthful. He is smart and gentle. “He was of the highest degree of middle
stature. (1.8.4.)” He is 21 years old. He is a footman in the household of Sir Thomas Booby. The
story of the novel revolves towards Joseph and his journey. The writer Henry Fielding presents
Joseph Andrews as a good character, virtuous and innocent. He is supposed to be Pamela’s
brother and son of Gammar and Gaffer Andrews.

“Mr. Joseph Andrews, the hero of our ensuing history, was esteemed to be the only son of
Gaffar and Gammar Andrews, and brother to the illustrious Pamela, whose virtue is at
present so famous. (1.2.1)”

Contribution
Joseph’s chief attributions are his self-control, virtue and devotion. In the very
beginning of the novel Lady Booby tries to seduce him, but Joseph strongly rejected her
proposal. Therefore she kicks out him from her house. “What riches, or honours, or pleasures
can make us amends for the loss of innocence? (1.13.5)”

Themes Related to Joseph

Chastity:
 Joseph Andrews has positive thinking towards sex. He demonstrates virtuousness.
Lady Booby and her maid try to seduce him, but he remains firm. When Lady Booby says, “Did
ever mortal hear of a man’s virtue?” Joseph replies, “That boy is the brother of Pamela and
would be ashamed, that the chastity of his family, which is preserved on her, should be
stained in him”. When Joseph is taken in London by Lady Booby his life is changed. He became
fashionable and modernized, but he remains pious towards sex as Pamela.

True love:
He is a true lover. He loved with his beloved Fanny until the end of the novel.

Courage:
He is courageous man. Lady Booby try to seduce him again and again but he did
not do so. Therefore she dismissed him from the job and kick out from the house. After that
Joseph Andrews have to face many difficulties. The robber robbed him on the way to London.
They snatched all the things from him and he became helpless. In spite of those difficulties, he
expressed courage and spent his life happily.

Virtuousness:
Joseph Andrews has good qualities. He demonstrates virtuousness. His behavior is
good for others. He does not hurt anyone.

Critical Views:
Critics have remarked on him is that the character of Joseph Andrews shows an
imbalance development. In the very beginning Joseph remains the center of interest as well as
narrative of the novel. But after the 14 chapter book 1 he goes aside and Parson Adam appears
as a real hero of the novel. It is Adams who is given the main role.