An Apology for the Life of Mrs. Shamela Andrews (ePub)

Henry Fielding (1707-1754), a celebrated English novelist and playwright, is best remembered for his rich contributions to the development of the novel as a form of literary art. His birthplace was Sharpham, Somerset, and he was born into a family where aristocratic ties were combined with a keen interest in literature. Fielding's educational background included Eton College and a stint at the University of Leiden. Turning initially to drama, Fielding wrote approximately 25 plays before his focus shifted to the novel, largely due to the stringent censorship of theatrical pieces that prevailed at the time. A significant turn in his literary career came with his satirical work 'An Apology for the Life of Mrs. Shamela Andrews' (1741), an incisive parody of Samuel Richardson's 'Pamela'. This piece showcases Fielding's wit and his distaste for what he saw as the sham moralizing present in Richardson's novel. His most famous work, 'The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling' (1749), is widely regarded as one of the great achievements in English literature, applauded for its narrative inventiveness, complex characterization, and a vibrant portrayal of 18th-century English society. In 'Tom Jones', Fielding's literary style fluorishes, blending comedy with serious critique and showcasing his mastery of both the form and function of the novel. Fielding's remarkable narrative voice shaped the emerging novel genre, marking him as a pivotal figure in the literary world of his time and a significant influence on later novelists.