For all the smart cookies lurking around in Joseph Andrews, there's also plenty of foolishness and folly to go around. Though Lady Booby (that name!) comes close, we're gonna say that Parson Adams wins the prize for most foolish of all. (Perhaps he's earned some fool's gold?) His appearance certainly does some of the work for him: with that cassock and ridiculous wig, certain folks find it hard to take him seriously. But then, on top of that, he has to go around quoting the most ridiculous, obscure texts, just to make himself look extra foolish.
If we learn anything from Parson Adams, it's that foolishness and wisdom aren't necessarily mutually exclusive. The good Parson has plenty of life lessons to impart to his young friends, and they'd be missing out if they dismissed him as a total fool… even if he does look pretty funny rolling down that hill.
Questions About Foolishness and Folly
- Why does Parson Adams make such a satisfying fool figure?
- Is Joseph foolish for not understanding Lady Booby's intentions, or is he purposefully playing dumb?
- Are Lady Booby and Slipslop foolish for persisting with Joseph, or might they have had more luck in different circumstances?
- Does the book have a thesis about what makes a fool?
Chew on This
Foolishness isn't the worst thing in the world in Joseph Andrews. In fact, everyone's a bit of a fool.
All of the mistakes made by Parson Adams end up advancing the plot of the book.