Male Chastity in Novel Joseph Andrews Essay

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.....along, how are you reacting to "Joseph Andrews," on its own?



I enjoyed reading "Joseph Andrews" for several reasons. For one, the language is challenging but I appreciate reading the text. Second, I find the content of Joseph Andrews interesting, as it lends insight into the historical and social context of the work. Most importantly, I appreciate the humor in the text, which is more overt and obvious than I expected. Right from the opening chapter, the author uses humor and satire when speaking of "male chastity." Throughout Joseph Andrews, there is sexual innuendo and symbolism as with Andrews's "office" being to "perform the part the ancients assigned to the God Priapus," as well as the use of the funny name "booby." The author cleverly juxtaposes the sexual imagery with the theme of modesty and chastity. Yet sexual innuendo is not the author's only comedic trope. He also uses clever literary devices, such as reversing the nickname for Joseph, saying that he was called "Joey, but "we shall hereafter" call him Joseph (p. 24). With Joseph's Christian identity and his betrothed as Goodwill, names carry much symbolism for the author. I also like that the author allows the narrator to continually speak directly to the reader, using first person narration.

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This creates a familiar tone.



2. What do you make of Fielding's presentation of Joseph's virtue of chastity?



First, I found it ironic that it was the male character Joseph that is the one committed to chastity. Fielding turns gender norms completely on their heads, because typically women are expected to actively preserve their chastity before marriage, or at least pretend to if they are of a high social status. Yet when Betty also offers herself to Joseph, it is clear that female sexuality transcends social class status. Likewise, it is amusing that Miss Booby works so hard to seduce Joseph, and that he resists. It could be that he is turned off to a sexually aggressive woman, and it is also possible that the author is simply showing that women had the power to be in control of their own sexuality, contrary to common beliefs about gender norms in the 18th century. Joseph is portrayed in a paradoxical light. On the one hand, he is obviously attractive given the fact that women from multiple walks of life are unable to….....

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Works Cited


Fielding, Henry. Joseph Andrews.

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