Character Clues

Character Analysis

Social Status

Sometimes it seems like everyone but Joseph is obsessed with social status. Even if he's totally oblivious, Joseph's entire world is informed by his lack of status: when he doesn't obey the privileged Lady Booby, for example, his job disappears quicker than you can snap your fingers. You know, because she can. She even tells him this, straight up: "Consider, child, you are a handsome young fellow, and might do better; you might make your fortune" (1.8.7). She's just assuming that Joseph is familiar with how the world works.

So while Joseph is oblivious, the rest of the characters practically live and breathe social status. For instance, Mrs. Tow-wouse refuses to let Joseph occupy an empty bed at the inn until Betty tells her about "a great familiarity between the gentleman and him; and added, she was certain they were intimate acquaintances, if not relations" (1.15.1). There's a secret code at every inn and public house in Joseph Andrews's England, and it always has to do with status.

Physical Appearances

Want a glimpse into Joseph Andrews's soul? Look no further than his face. Yeah, it's a cliché that the eyes are the window to the soul, but faces are a pretty good way to tell what a character is all about in this book. We know that Joseph's "limbs were put together with great elegance and no less strength" (1.8.4). Sounds like he's being assembled on a factory line, but to tell the truth, Joseph is perfectly formed to be a hero, physically speaking. You could just take a glance at him to figure out that he's destined for greatness.

Fanny, on the other hand, seems formed to be Joseph's other half. Even though she's pure as punch, this description of her veers toward the blatantly sexual: "On the contrary, she was so plump, that she seemed to be bursting through her tight stays, especially in the part which confined her swelling breasts" (2.12.3). Tone it down there, Fielding! It almost looks we've got another Pamela figure who can't help being categorized as a sex object.

Sex and Love

Speaking of sex objects, Joseph just can't seem to figure out that half the women in London are in love with him… or at least they really, really want to hop into bed with him. We can understand some of that based on his appearance (see above), but that handsome mug doesn't totally explain how so many people have the hots for him. Mrs. Slipslop is practically salivating: "This fair creature had long cast the eyes of affection on Joseph […]" (1.6.5).

Joseph isn't just physically attractive, either. Lady Booby is totally in love with him by the end of the book, and she's ready to throw away her social status (see above) on the fool. What gives? Joseph unwittingly snares people looking for love because he's so gosh-darn kind and giving. Hey, they come for the face and stay for the heart.