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Moral Basis In Fielding's Irony, Roger Paulson Hailes

Master's Theses

There rarely has been publishecl a book in any language which is lighter, brighter or more "mirthfully ironic" than Tom Jones . Yet, the modern emphasis on Fielding's serious concern for moral values tends to obscure the nature of his comedy. This comedy is an agent through which he shows his reader mankind's shortcomings. Specifically through the use of all types or irony, we are made to see the ridiculous nature of many of our actions as well as the necessary methods of correction.