The History of the Adventures of Joseph Andrews and of His Friend Mr. Abraham Adams

Fielding explains that examples instruct others more efficiently than precepts. Stories teach the reader right from wrong in an entertaining way, so that “the reader is almost as much improved as entertained” (19). As an example Fielding cites two books, one about male virtue and the other about female virtue. The latter is a memoir written by Pamela Andrews, sister of Joseph Andrews, the protagonist of the ensuing story. This introduction prepares the reader to read a story that both instructs and entertains.

The narrator introduces Joseph Andrews, “the hero of our ensuing history” (20), and states that his ancestry beyond his great-grandfather is unknown. One’s family history does not have as much value or meaning as one’s virtue. At 10 years old Joseph starts an apprenticeship under Sir Thomas Booby, and through a series of transitions based on Joseph’s skills and sweet singing voice, he ends up working in Sir Booby’s stables. His skill as a horse rider and racer earn him the attentions of Lady Booby, who makes him her footboy when he is 17. In turn, his exceptional voice and behavior in church capture the attention of Abraham Adams, the curate, who appreciates Joseph for his wisdom and virtue.

Abraham Adams is a scholar, fluent in several languages including Greek and Latin, with an agreeable disposition. However, he is naive, oblivious to dishonesty or malicious intent in others because of his own pure motives. He discovers that Joseph has had no formal education but has taught himself a great deal by reading books. Adams announces that he would like to teach Joseph Latin, but before Adams can ask Lady Booby’s permission, she departs for London, taking Joseph with her.

While in London, Joseph befriends a rowdy crowd, but his own morality remains uncorrupted. Lady Booby, who has always thought Joseph handsome, now sees a spirited side of him that attracts her even more. She flirts with him in innocent ways, such as taking his hand as she steps down from her coach. Despite Lady Booby’s subtle flirtations, Joseph never oversteps his place as her footman and has only respect for her.

Sir Thomas Booby dies, leaving Lady Booby more likely to act on her attraction to Joseph. She summons him to her room and in a roundabout way flirts with Joseph, attempting to lure him into making sexual advances. Instead of sharing her feelings, she repeatedly points out that she is utterly under his power and could not resist him should he choose to take advantage of her: “I have trusted myself with a man alone, naked in bed; suppose you should have any wicked intentions upon my honour, how should I defend myself?” (26). Joseph does not understand her subtle invitations and assures his lady that he would never dishonor her. Lady Booby becomes angry that he maintains his innocence despite her sexual encouragement. She sends him out of her room.

Joseph leaves Lady Booby’s room and writes a letter to his sister Pamela. He describes Lady Booby’s advances toward him: “she held my hand, and talked exactly as a lady does to her sweetheart in a stage-play” (27). He writes that he expects to be fired soon and asks Pamela to find him a place to stay.

Mrs. Slipslop, Lady Booby’s lady-in-waiting, is also attracted to Joseph and goes out of her way to show him favor by giving him special treats and wine. However, Joseph does not return her attentions. Deciding she deserves some pleasure, she professes her love to Joseph in hopes of seducing him. Joseph does not understand Mrs. Slipslop’s flirtations and responds that he loves her “as well as if you had been my own mother” (28). Mrs. Slipslop becomes offended that he thinks her old enough to be his mother. Just as she is about to “lay her violent amorous hands on the poor Joseph” (29), Lady Booby summons her.

Lady Booby and Mrs. Slipslop deal with rejection from Joseph in different ways. While Lady Booby’s anger immediately turns to remorse for her actions, Mrs. Slipslop proceeds to spread lies about Joseph to Lady Booby out of anger. She accuses Joseph of being a ladies’ man, saying, “Betty the chambermaid, I am almost convinced, is with child by him” (30). Lady Booby dithers about whether to fire Joseph. She finally decides to summon Joseph and assess him herself.

Lady Booby accuses Joseph of impregnating her maid, who has by now been fired. Shocked by her allegations, Joseph defends his virtue, saying, “I assure your ladyship I don’t know whether any maid in the house is man or woman” (32). Lady Booby again attempts to subtly invite Joseph to come on to her, but he responds in purity, stating that his virtue would never allow him to engage in a physical relationship with her. Lady Booby responds in pride, convinced that if she let him, Joseph would surely want her, and his virtue would not keep him from making sexual advances toward her. She doubts that men have virtuous morals; if a woman were to offer herself, surely a man would take her. Joseph maintains that his virtue is not dependent on a woman’s: “I can’t see why her having not virtue should be a reason against my having any” (33). Lady Booby fires Joseph, accusing him of misconstruing the innocent freedoms she allowed him as sexual interest, which is exactly what she intended.

Lady Booby tells Mrs. Slipslop that she has fired Joseph. Mrs. Slipslop responds that if she fires every footman who is a ladies’ man, she will be left with no footman at all. The women argue. Mrs. Slipslop does not want Joseph to be fired, since she’s attracted to him. Lady Booby asks her servant Peter Pounce to dismiss Joseph, and she and Mrs. Slipslop make amends. Mrs. Slipslop consoles herself that although Joseph is gone, there are other footmen to whom she can direct her affections. Lady Booby, on the other hand, still has feelings for Joseph but struggles to balance her love for him with her pride.

Joseph finally realizes that Lady Booby is in love with him. He writes another letter to his sister Pamela to tell her that he intends to remain chaste despite Lady Booby’s advances, observing, “chastity is as great a virtue in a man as in a woman” (37). He encourages his sister to maintain her virtue and pray for his own resolve, as his virtue is “severely attacked by more than one” (37). He receives the last of his wages from Peter Pounce. Joseph leaves the house that evening. Since the moon shines bright, he begins his journey on foot.