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

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

## What happens

The landlady helps Ensign Northerton escape through the chimney in exchange for fifty pounds, while the sentinel is wrongly accused of treachery. Tom Jones, having overheard the commotion, intervenes to clear the sentinel's name, and the lieutenant agrees to release him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Appearance vs. Reality

The sentinel's apparent cowardice and treachery are later revealed to be unfounded; the landlady's compassion masks a mercenary transaction.

### Justice and Mercy

Jones's plea for mercy spares the sentinel from punishment, while the ensign's escape subverts formal justice.

## Character check-ins

### Tom Jones

Lies awake, rings bell to learn of the night's events, and pleads for the sentinel's innocence.

### Mr. Northerton

Escapes via chimney with the landlady's help, depositing fifty pounds as security.

### The Officer

The lieutenant who investigates the sentinel's alleged treachery and later relents due to Jones's intercession.

### Susan

Chambermaid who, with the drawer, refuses to answer Jones's bell until the lieutenant intervenes.

### Robin

Drawer who refuses to wait on chambers, insisting it is the chambermaid's duty.

## Key lines

> Mr. Northerton then, as we have before observed, was fully satisfied with the glory which he had obtained from this action.

Northerton was content with the fame he had gained from the fight.

_Northerton's vanity and lack of remorse after wounding Tom._

> The ensign happened to be at this time possessed of the sum of fifty pounds, which did indeed belong to the whole company; for the captain having quarrelled with his lieutenant, had entrusted the payment of his company to the ensign.

Northerton had fifty pounds of the company's money, given to him because the captain and lieutenant had fallen out.

_The bribe that secures the landlady's help in the escape._

> Jones related to him the whole truth, and earnestly begged him not to punish the poor soldier, 'who, I am confident,' says he, 'is as innocent of the ensign's escape, as he is of forging any lie, or of endeavouring to impose on you.'

Jones told the lieutenant the full story and pleaded for the sentinel's release, insisting the man was blameless.

_Tom's intervention on behalf of the wrongly accused sentinel._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/xv
- 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