The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling · Chapter
XIII explained
The chapter describes the ingratitude of Captain Blifil toward his brother, the doctor, after the captain has married Miss Bridget and been reconciled to Mr.
What happens
The chapter describes the ingratitude of Captain Blifil toward his brother, the doctor, after the captain has married Miss Bridget and been reconciled to Mr. Allworthy. The captain grows cold and rude, and despite remonstrances from the doctor and Allworthy, he remains unforgiving. The doctor, heartbroken and unable to confess his own guilt, leaves for London and dies of a broken heart.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy vs. True Virtue
Captain Blifil outwardly professes reconciliation while harboring rancor, illustrating hypocrisy.
Benevolence and Generosity
The doctor's generous actions are met with ingratitude, highlighting the theme of benevolence betrayed.
Characters to notice
- Captain Blifil
Shows cruel ingratitude toward his brother after marrying Miss Bridget and being reconciled to Allworthy.
- Squire Allworthy
Speaks to the captain on behalf of the doctor and expresses resentment against an unforgiving temper.
- Mrs. Bridget
In her honeymoon, passionately fond of her new husband and shares his displeasures.
Key passages
“One of the maxims which the devil, in a late visit upon earth, left to his disciples, is, when once you are got up, to kick the stool from under you.”
A cynical principle: once you have succeeded with someone's help, discard that person.
The narrator uses this maxim to explain Captain Blifil's ingratitude.
“The doctor went directly to London, where he died soon after of a broken heart; a distemper which kills many more than is generally imagined, and would have a fair title to a place in the bill of mortality, did it not differ in one instance from all other diseases, viz. , that no physician can cure it.”
The doctor died in London from a broken heart, an ailment that is common but incurable by any doctor.
Highlights the emotional devastation caused by ingratitude.