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

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

## What happens

After Squire Allworthy departs, Mrs. Deborah Wilkins awaits Miss Bridget's true sentiments. Miss Bridget kisses the foundling child and orders generous provisions for its care, though she criticizes her brother's whim as encouraging vice. The narrator reflects on how reluctant compliance, accompanied by expressions of dislike, actually enhances the obligation.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy vs. True Virtue

Miss Bridget outwardly complies with her brother's wishes while privately expressing disdain, illustrating the gap between apparent benevolence and true sentiment.

### Benevolence and Generosity

Allworthy's orders to care for the foundling child are carried out by his sister, though her generosity is tempered by her critical remarks.

## Character check-ins

### Mrs. Deborah Wilkins

Stands silent after her master's departure, waiting for Miss Bridget's cue, then enthusiastically kisses and praises the child.

### Mrs. Bridget

Kisses the child, declares herself pleased with its beauty and innocence, and orders liberal provisions for its nursery, though she criticizes her brother's whim as encouraging vice.

## Key lines

> When her master was departed, Mrs. Deborah stood silent, expecting her cue from Miss Bridget; for as to what had passed before her master, the prudent housekeeper by no means relied upon it, as she had often known the sentiments of the lady in her brother’s absence to differ greatly from those which she had expressed in his presence.

After Allworthy left, Mrs. Deborah waited for Bridget's real opinion, knowing that Bridget often said one thing in front of her brother and another behind his back.

_Highlights the theme of appearance vs. reality and Bridget's duplicity._

> Miss Bridget did not, however, suffer her to continue long in this doubtful situation; for having looked some time earnestly at the child, as it lay asleep in the lap of Mrs. Deborah, the good lady could not forbear giving it a hearty kiss, at the same time declaring herself wonderfully pleased with its beauty and innocence.

Bridget soon ended the suspense by kissing the sleeping child and expressing delight at its beauty and innocence.

_Shows Bridget's initial affectionate response to the foundling._

> She concluded the whole with saying, 'Since it was her brother's whim to adopt the little brat, she supposed little master must be treated with great tenderness. For her part, she could not help thinking it was an encouragement to vice; but that she knew too much of the obstinacy of mankind to oppose any of their ridiculous humours.'

Bridget finished by saying that since her brother insisted on adopting the child, she would treat it kindly, though she believed it promoted immorality and that she wouldn't argue with his stubborn whims.

_Reveals Bridget's true disapproval masked by compliance._

## Links

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