Joseph Andrews Appearances Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Volume.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

Fanny was now in her nineteenth year of her age; she was tall and delicately shaped; but not one of those slender young women, who seem rather intended to hang up in the hall of anatomist, than for any other purpose. (2.12.2)

There are lots of distinctions in Joseph Andrews about gentility. Fanny's the kind of lass who is totally fine walking miles on the road—which, paradoxically, makes her seem a bit less of a lady than she really is.

Quote #5

Her complexion was fair, a little injured by the sun, but overspread with such a bloom, that the finest ladies would have exchanged all their white for it […]. (2.12.3)

Fanny's got a certain something that all the ladies want. It sounds like her lower-class appearance is more appealing because of its naturalness. Now that's a novel idea.

Quote #6

The beautiful young lady, the morning, now rose from her bed, and with a countenance blooming with fresh youth and sprightliness, like Miss ___. (3.4.2)

The footnote to this line adds that the reader can fill in the blank. How about Miss Shrek? The point seems to be, though, that these kinds of descriptions could be used on pretty much anyone. What makes someone interesting, for Fielding, isn't what they look like; it's who they are inside.