Index of the Project Gutenberg Works of Henry Fielding

In Short

This volume serves as a structured master index and catalog of the major prose works of Henry Fielding, encompassing his celebrated novels, satirical biographies, and moral comedies. Through detailed chapter outlines and volume breakdowns, it maps the narrative trajectories of iconic eighteenth-century literature, tracing journeys from mock-heroic underworlds and roadside inns to London courtrooms and country estates. It endures as an essential structural guide to Fielding’s broad literary legacy, organizing his sharp social commentary, irony, and human observation into a unified reference for scholars and casual readers alike.

The Story

The arc of this collected index traces the full trajectory of Fielding’s prose fiction, capturing a complete panorama of eighteenth-century English life across four distinct major works. It opens with the satirical history of Jonathan Wild, charting a dark, ironic inversion of conventional heroism. The narrative follows Wild’s rise through the criminal underworld, detailing his shameless manipulation of accomplices, his treacherous undoing of the innocent jeweler Heartfree, his fraught marital debates with Laetitia, and his eventual journey to the gallows at Newgate prison, where his uncompromising villainy is mockingly celebrated as the peak of human "greatness."

From the grim satire of Newgate, the index transitions into the domestic trials and emotional complexities of Amelia. This narrative explores the chaotic aftermath of a secret marriage, opening inside the grim walls of a London prison where Captain Booth encounters temptation and misfortune. The story follows Booth and his steadfast wife, Amelia, through a grueling series of financial distresses, noble betrayals, masquerade intrigues, and bailiff arrests. Their plight deepens through complex webbed encounters with aristocrats, military officers, and corrupt land barons before reaching a resolution through divine intervention and legal unmasking.

The narrative scope then expands dramatically in The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling. Beginning with the mysterious discovery of an infant in the benevolent Squire Allworthy’s bed, the story charts Tom’s chaotic upbringing alongside his hypocritical rival, Blifil. Driven from home under false accusations of dishonor, Tom embarks on a sweeping picaresque journey along the roads of England toward London. His adventures at rural inns, duels with officers, encounters with the Man of the Hill, and tempestuous affairs coincide with the parallel flight of his beloved Sophia Western, who escapes a forced marriage to join the road. Misunderstandings, masquerades, and prison confinements pile up in London until long-hidden parentage secrets are revealed, exposing Blifil’s schemes and clearing Tom’s name for a triumphant union with Sophia.

Finally, the collection concludes with the lighthearted picaresque adventure of Joseph Andrews. Initiated as a parody of virtuous Pamela, the story begins with Joseph rebuffing the aggressive advances of Lady Booby in London. Ousted from his position, Joseph sets out on foot toward his sweetheart, Fanny Goodwill. Joined by the eccentric, forgotten, yet fiercely moral Parson Abraham Adams, their journey back to Booby Hall turns into a riotous series of inn brawls, robber encounters, philosophical debates, and comical mistakes of identity. Their hardships vanish when secret baby-swapping revelations prove Joseph’s noble lineage, paving the way for his blissful marriage to Fanny.

How It Unfolds

The rise of false greatness Wild establishes his sway over the London underworld, orchestrating clever robberies and cheating fellow rogues while maintaining a sham philosophy of aristocratic ambition. He relentlessly targets the innocent Heartfree family to strip them of their wealth and freedom.

The descent to Newgate After endless betrayals, Wild’s schemes collapse around him, leading to his arrest and imprisonment in Newgate Castle. He engages in absurd theological debates with the prison chaplain before marched to the gallows, achieving the ultimate, ironic consummation of his sinister ambition.

Prisons and trial in Amelia Captain Booth finds himself incarcerated, where he hears the scandalous life story of Miss Matthews before reuniting with his devoted wife, Amelia. Upon release, the couple faces constant financial ruin, predatory noblemen, and deceptive friends who target Amelia’s purity.

Resolution of domestic trial Through the guidance of Dr. Harrison and sudden confessions regarding forged wills, the conspiracies surrounding Booth and Amelia fall apart. Booth is rescued from a bailiff’s house, and Amelia’s rightful inheritance is fully restored.

Exile of the foundling Tom Jones grows up under Squire Allworthy's roof, but his impulsive nature and the malicious manipulations of Blifil lead to his sudden banishment. He takes to the open road, meeting colorful strangers, soldiers, and the eccentric barber Partridge.

The road to London and Upton Sophia Western escapes her father's estate to avoid marrying Blifil, leading to a chaotic sequence of near-misses and romantic mix-ups at the Upton inn. Both Sophia and Tom eventually arrive in London, where city temptations and imprisonment threaten their reunion until truth prevails.

Rejection and foot journey Joseph Andrews maintains his chastity against Lady Booby's advances, resulting in his immediate dismissal. He sets out on foot for the countryside, soon reuniting with the warm-hearted Parson Adams to brave the hazards of the English highway.

The return to Booby Hall After surviving endless inn fights, humorous misunderstandings, and debates with hypocritical clergymen, the travelers reach their home parish. Surprising revelations regarding parentage clear every obstacle, allowing Joseph and Fanny to marry in peace.

The People

• Jonathan Wild wants absolute dominance over London’s criminal network and unyielding recognition of his "greatness." Standing in his way are basic human decency, law enforcement, and his own treacherous gang members; he ultimately ends his life on the gallows, completely unrepentant.
• Captain Booth wants to secure financial stability and happiness for his family, but his own gambling habits, weak willpower, and corrupt creditors constantly ruin his prospects until legal revelations restore his fortune.
• Amelia Booth wants only to protect her husband and children while preserving her moral integrity. She faces poverty, predatory aristocratic suitors, and her husband's imprudence, remaining faithful and resilient until she recovers her rightful inheritance.
• Tom Jones seeks the love of Sophia Western and the forgiveness of his benefactor, Squire Allworthy. His own impulsive passions and the villainous schemes of his rival Blifil stand in his way until his true parentage is revealed and his good heart is recognized.
• Sophia Western wants to choose her own husband based on true affection rather than landed wealth. She resists her tyrannical father and overbearing aunt, fleeing home to secure her eventual marriage to Tom.
• Joseph Andrews seeks to live a simple, virtuous life and marry his childhood sweetheart, Fanny Goodwill. He overcomes the seductive aggression of Lady Booby and class barriers, ending as a happily married gentleman farmer.
• Parson Abraham Adams wants to shepherd his flock and uphold Christian charity, though his extreme naivety and short memory constantly pull him into physical brawls and comical disasters.

In Its Own Voice

"A dialogue between young Master Wild and Count La Ruse, which, having extended to the rejoinder, had a very quiet, easy, and natural conclusion."

Context: An early chapter entry describing the initial scheming interactions between the ambitious young criminal and his aristocratic associate.

"A battle sung by the muse in the Homerican style, and which none but the classical reader can taste."

Context: A chapter heading from Tom Jones highlighting Fielding's signature mock-heroic narrative voice during a graveyard brawl.

"A night scene, wherein several wonderful adventures befel Adams and his fellow-travelers."

Context: A chapter entry outlining the dark, chaotic mix-ups at a rural inn during Joseph Andrews' journey home.

What It's Really About

At its core, this collection investigates the dramatic tension between outward social reputation and true moral character. Across every narrative, Fielding questions what society deems "greatness" versus what constitutes genuine goodness. In Jonathan Wild, he explicitly satirizes political ambition by showing how the ruthless tactics of praised historical conquerors mirror the actions of common thieves and gang leaders.

In Tom Jones and Joseph Andrews, the narrative challenges rigid religious hypocrisy and cold moralism, contrasting the rigid, formal piety of figures like Thwackum and Blifil with the warm, instinctive, albeit imperfect, charity of Tom and Parson Adams. The work ultimately argues that true virtue stems from a generous, affectionate heart and active benevolence rather than flawless surface propriety or social standing.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate expansive social satire, rich character comedy, and intricate plot architecture will find this collection endlessly rewarding. It offers an immersive window into eighteenth-century England, capturing the vibrant atmosphere of country squires, bustling roadside inns, filthy debtor prisons, and glittering London masquerades. Reading Fielding feels like sitting down with a witty, urbane companion who constantly winks at the audience, breaking the illusion of story to comment on human nature, literary conventions, and social absurdities.

The reader must navigate certain historical hurdles, including dense mid-eighteenth-century sentence structures, deliberate digressions, classical references, and period attitudes regarding class and gender. The sheer length of the major works demands patience. However, the reward is an unmatched masterclass in comedic storytelling and narrative ironies. What stays with you long after reading is the exuberant vitality of the prose and its enduring insight into human folly—proving that while customs change, hypocrites, idealists, rogues, and lovers remain remarkably the same.