The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling · Chapter
Chapter VIII explained
Mrs.
What happens
Mrs. Bridget and Mrs. Deborah eavesdrop on Mr. Allworthy's interview with Jenny Jones through a keyhole. Afterward, Mrs. Deborah criticizes Allworthy's leniency, but Mrs. Bridget defends Jenny, praising her honesty and blaming her seduction on a deceitful man. Mrs. Deborah quickly changes her opinion to align with Mrs. Bridget, and they both condemn beauty and pity plain girls who are deceived.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy vs. True Virtue
Mrs. Bridget's public condemnation of prying into others' affairs contrasts with her own eavesdropping, and Mrs. Deborah's quick shift in opinion reveals the hypocrisy of social conformity.
Appearance vs. Reality
Mrs. Bridget and Mrs. Deborah debate Jenny's true character versus her appearance as a 'good, honest, plain girl,' and the women's own virtuous postures are undercut by their secret listening.
Characters to notice
- Mrs. Bridget
Eavesdrops on her brother's interview with Jenny Jones, then defends Jenny's character and blames her seduction on a treacherous man.
- Mrs. Deborah Wilkins
Initially criticizes Allworthy's clemency, but quickly changes her stance to agree with Mrs. Bridget's more sympathetic view of Jenny.
- Jenny Jones
The subject of the conversation; Mrs. Bridget praises her honesty and integrity, believing she was seduced by a villain.
- Squire Allworthy
His interview with Jenny Jones is overheard; his lenient treatment of her is discussed by the women.
Key passages
“This hole in her brother’s study-door was indeed as well known to Mrs. Bridget, and had been as frequently applied to by her, as the famous hole in the wall was by Thisbe of old.”
Mrs. Bridget was as familiar with the keyhole in her brother's study door as the legendary Thisbe was with the hole in the wall.
The narrator compares Mrs. Bridget's eavesdropping to the classical myth of Pyramus and Thisbe, highlighting her secretive and persistent spying.
“When a woman is not seen to blush, she doth not blush at all.”
If a woman's blushes are hidden from view, it is as if she never blushed.
A legal maxim is playfully applied to suggest that Mrs. Bridget's embarrassment is irrelevant because no one sees it.
“Mrs. Bridget discomposed her features with a smile (a thing very unusual to her).”
Mrs. Bridget smiled, which was a rare occurrence for her.
The narrator notes the unusual nature of Mrs. Bridget's smile, comparing it to the grim smile of a Fury rather than a goddess of love.