Types of Novel

1. The picaresque novel (Spanish: picaresca, from pícaro, for "rogue" or "rascal") is a genre
of prose fiction that depicts the adventures of a roguish, but "appealing hero", of low social
class, who lives by his wits in a corrupt society. Picaresque novels typically adopt
a realistic style, with elements of comedy and satire. This style of novel originated in Spain in
1554 and flourished throughout Europe for more than 200 years, though the term "picaresque
novel" was only coined in 1810. It continues to influence modern literature. The term is also
sometimes used to describe works, like Cervantes' Don Quixote and Charles
Dickens' Pickwick Papers, which only contain some of the genre's elements.

The picaresque novel is a popular genre of novel that originated in Spain and flourished in
Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries and has continued to influence modern literature.
Therefore, picaresque novel is the life story of rogue or picaro, a clever and amusing
adventurer of low social status. The story is usually narrated in the first person
as autobiography. Episodic in nature, the plot consists of a series of thrilling incidents. The
hero wanders from place to place, from job to job. The adventures help the picaro to meet
with the people of all different social strata- businessmen, politicians, clergymen, doctors,
lawyers, drunkards, poor, buffoons etc. He is thus charged with opportunities of satirizing the
hypocrisy and corruption of entire society.

Seven qualities distinguish the picaresque novel or narrative form, all or some of which an
author may employ for effect.

 A picaresque narrative is generally written in the first person as an autobiographical

account.
 The main character is often of low character or social class. He or she gets by with wits
and rarely deigns to hold a job.
 There is little or no plot. The story is told in a series of loosely connected adventures or
episodes.
 There is little if any character development in the main character. Once a picaro, always a
pícaro. His or her circumstances may change but these rarely result in a change of heart.
 The picaro's story is told with a plainness of language or realism.
 Satire is a prominent element.
 The behavior of a picaresque hero or heroine stops just short of criminality. Carefree or
immoral rascality positions the picaresque hero as a sympathetic outsider, untouched by
the false rules of society.

In the English-speaking world, the term "picaresque" is often used loosely to refer to novels
that contain some elements of this genre; e.g. an episodic recounting of adventures on the
road.

TOM JONES AS A PICARESQUE NOVEL

Henry Fielding was a well-known English novelist and dramatist of the 18th century.
His contribution to the development of English novel as a major art form is significant and
unique. He paved the way for the psychological realism that came after him. He is noted for
his rich but crude humour and satire. His novels and plays criticized the government of the
time and often struck a discordant note with contemporary leaders. It was he who popularized
the new genre – picaresque novel in English.
Picaresque novel has its origin in the early Spanish literature. The term ‘picaresque’ is
derived from the Spanish word ‘picaro’ which means ‘rogue’ or ‘rascal’. Hence, a picaresque
novel is a long narrative that depicts the adventures of a rogue who lives in a corrupt
society. It consists of a series of loosely connected episodes in the manner of journeys and/or
adventures. In a picaresque novel, the author generally uses a first-person narrative. The best
known Spanish picaresque novel is Don Quixote by Cervantes. Daniel Defoe’s Moll
Flanders, Henry Fielding’s Joseph Andrews and Tom Jones and Thackeray’s Vanity Fair
are some other important picaresque novels.
The object of the picaresque novel is to take a central figure through a succession of
events, introduce a great number of characters and thus build up a picture of society. This is
exactly the pattern which the story of Tom Jones follows. Tom Jones makes adventures in
Somersetshire, on the road to London and also in London. He has a number of adventures on
the roads and inside inns. He meets thieves and rogues, rescues damsels in distress, falls in
love, fight duels, gets arrested and imprisoned, gets cheated by cunning people and helped by
apparent scoundrels. He encounters the members of the lowest rungs of society as well as the
high aristocrats. Through these characters and events, Henry Fielding gives a realistic portrait
of the 18th century England.
In most of the picaresque novels, the protagonists are invariably orphans and are exposed
to dishonour in the society. They often live as a social outcast and appear as darker
characters. They tell their stories from their point of view. Tom Jones also follows this
pattern of the picaresque novel. Tom Jones, the hero of the novel, is a foundling. He is
mysteriously discovered one night in the bed of the wealthy, virtuous and benevolent Mr.
Allworthy. The kind Squire brings him up and educates him. But Tom incurs the anger of his
benefactor (Squire Allworthy) with the result that he is sent out of his house. Now begin the
travels of Tom Jones.
Accompanied by a schoolmaster Mr.Partridge, he sets out for London. Fielding also
sends his heroine, Sophia on adventures along the highway. On the way, Tom meets with a
number of adventures, some of which are amorous in nature. He goes from place to place
stopping at numerous inns on the way. He meets several strange persons like Harriet,
Fitzpatrick, Nancy, Nightingale, Mrs.Miller and Mrs. Waters. On their way to London they
meet beggar, highwaymen and finally fall among gypsies in whose camp they spend a
night. Finally, they reach London. But Tom’s adventures do not come to an end there. He
meets Lady Bellaston, a lustful woman who for some time supports him in London. However,
misfortune follows him and he is imprisoned in London. In this way the story of Tom Jones is
a long string of adventures and escapades.
The picaresque novel offers criticism of the age whose picture it presents. Cervantes in
his great picaresque novel Don Quixote gives a smashing blow to the tradition of chivalry. A
similar satirical picture of a corrupt society is presented in Tom Jones. Tom Jones ridicules
the folly, vices and weaknesses of mankind in general.
Thus Tom Jones has several traits of the picaresque novel. Yet, in one essential point
it differs greatly from the picaresque tradition. Unlike the picaresque novel Tom Jones has a
coherent and well-knit plot. It further shows a harmony between characters and incidents.

Henry Fielding’s Tom Jones as a Picaresque Novel

Founded upon the Spanish word ‘picaroon’ meaning a rogue the picaresque novel usually
consists of a series of loosely connected episodes in the manner of journeys, which are the
picaroon’s many adventures. In a picaresque novel, therefore, the author generally uses a first-
person narrative, relating the adventures of a rogue or low- born adventures the drifts from
place to place and from one social milieu to another in his effort to service. In its episodic
structure the picaresque novel resembles the long, rambling romances of medieval chivalry.
The best known Spanish picaresque novel is Don Quixote by Cervantes. Daniel Defoe’s Moll
Flanders, Henry Fielding’s Tom Jones, Thackeray’s Barry Lyndon are some important
picaresque novels.
The object of the picaresque novel is to take a central figure through a succession of scenes,
introduce a great number of characters, and thus build up a picture of society. This is exactly
the pattern which the story of Tom Jones follows. The hero is taken through a succession of
scenes and situations, and has a number of adventures on the roads and inside inns. He meets
persons of different types and tempers.
Tom had adventures in the countryside, on the road to London, and in London itself. He
meets thieves and rogues rescues damsels in distress, falls in love, fight duels, gets arrested
and imprisoned, gets cheated by seemingly innocent people and helped by apparent
scoundrels. He encounters members of the lowest rungs of society as well as highest echelons.
The picaresque mode, furthermore, offers a writer the chance to present the life and culture of
his age.
The story of Tom Jones follows the pattern of the “Picaresque” novel. Tom Jones, the hero
of the novel, is a foundling, mysteriously discovered one night in the bed of the wealthy,
virtuous and benevolent Mr. Allworthy. The kind Squire brings him up and educates him. But
Tom incurs the wrath of his benefactor with the result that he is turned out of his house. Now
begin the travels of Tom Jones.
Accompanied by a schoolmaster, Partridge, the sets out for London. It is easy to see in
Partridge a parallel to Sancho Panza, the travelling companion to Don Quixote, in Cervantes’s
picaresque novel of the same title. Fielding also sends his heroine, with a suitable lady
companion, on adventures along the highway. On the way, Tom meets with a number of
adventures, some of which are amorous in nature. He goes from place to place stopping at
numerous inns on the way. He joins the army as a volunteer but, being seriously wounded in a
fray, cannot accompany the soldiers with whom he wants to go. He meets several strange
persons, one of whom is the Man of the Hill, who willfully leads a lonely life. He rescues the
old man from being attack by two ruffians. The next morning, he saves Mrs. Waters from
being killed by Ensign Northerton. After the boisterous scenes at Upton Inn, Tom and
Partridge are again on the road. They now meet beggar, highwaymen, and finally fall among
gypsies in whose camp they spend a night. Finally, they reach London. But Tom’s adventures
do not come to an end there. He meets Lady Bellaston, a lustful woman who for some time
supports him in London. Misfortune, however, persistently dogs his heels, and he is
imprisoned in London. In this way the story of Tom Jones is a long string of adventures in
different scenes and situations.
 A novel in which the hero is sent on travels for the sake of adventures, and in which he
passes through different scenes and meets different sorts of persons is called a “picaresque”
novel. Therefore, we may say that Tom Jones has several traits of the picaresque novel.
The “picaresque” novel offers criticism of the age whose picture it presents. Cervantes in his
great picaresque novel, Don Quixote, gives a smashing blow to the tradition of chivalry. A
similar satirical picture of a corrupt society is presented in Tom Jones. Tom Jones ridicules
folly, vice and weakness of mankind in general.
Thus, Tom Jones has several traits of the picaresque novel. Yet in one essential point it
differs greatly from the picaresque tradition. Unlike the picaresque novel, Tom Jones has a
coherent and well – knit and well – planned plot. It further shows a harmony between
characters and incidents.