# I explained — The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling

> Chapter companion for The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding.

## What happens

The author introduces his work using a metaphor of a bill of fare at a public ordinary, explaining that he will serve up 'Human Nature' as his subject, dressed in various styles from plain country fare to the seasoned affectations of courts and cities.

## Key lines

> An author ought to consider himself, not as a gentleman who gives a private or eleemosynary treat, but rather as one who keeps a public ordinary, at which all persons are welcome for their money.

An author should see himself not as a host providing a free feast, but as an innkeeper serving paying customers.

_Fielding establishes his relationship with the reader as a commercial transaction, setting expectations for critical engagement._

> The provision, then, which we have here made is no other than Human Nature.

The subject of this work is simply human nature.

_Fielding announces the central subject of his novel._

> True wit is nature to advantage dressed; What oft was thought, but ne'er so well expressed.

True cleverness is nature presented in an appealing way, expressing common ideas with uncommon skill.

_Fielding quotes Pope to emphasize the importance of style over subject matter._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/i
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters