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Synopsis: Joseph Andrews, Book 1
Ch. 1 — Fielding begins by addressing the writer directly, announcing that he is about to present a morally uplifting tale, and comparing his book to two recent works, the autobiography of the actor Colley Cibber, and the novel, Pamela. The joke is that neither is a good example of Biography, because the former is the memoir of a professional liar, and the latter is a work of fiction. In any case, Fielding tells us, his subject will be as great an exampl eof chastity as was Pamela, except that this “Character” will represent “Male-Chastity.”
Ch. 2 — A quick narration of Joseph’s childhood, marked by his beauty, singing ability, riding ability, and desire to learn. We learn that he is sent to work at a very young age on the estate of Sir Thomas Booby.
Ch. 3 — Parson Adams is introduced as Joseph’s mentor and tutor. He is a self-taught scholar and the curate of Lord Booby’s estate. He is paid a small salary by the clergyman appointed to take care of the parish nearest the Booby estate. His duties include running holy services, visiting the poor and sick, and educating local children. He is characterized by his naivete — he is so honest that he cannot perceive or suspect dishonesty in anyone else. Mrs. Slipslop is also introduced as a woman who likes to pretend to be high-class and very learned by (mis)using difficult words. She informs Parson Adams that Joseph must accompany Lady Booby, a beautiful and fashionable woman, to her London residence to act as her footman (male servant).
Ch. 4 — Joseph picks up a few town affectations — vanity about his clothes and hair, a love of going to the theater — but remains honest and modest overall — so modest that he does not suspect that Lady Booby is falling in love with him.
Ch. 5 — Sir Thomas Booby dies, and leaves a less-than-grieving widow. After a full week of mourning, Lady Booby calls Joseph to her bedroom and tries to hint that he could have his way with her if he wanted to. He doesn’t understand, and his assurances that he respects her too much ever to think of touching her anger her greatly.
Ch. 6 — Joseph, worried about his mistress’s anger, writes to his sister, Pamela Adams, letting her know he may soon be fired and, if so, will return to the country and Parson Adams. (Joseph’s sister is the heroine of the novel Pamela, written by Samuel Richardson. In that work, she was the virtuous governess whose long resistance of Mr. B__’s advances eventually so impressed him that he married her.) Mrs. Slipslop meets Joseph in the servant’s quarters; her personality is described in more detail. She apparently had one love affair as a girl but has “reclaimed” her virginity and has been a prude ever since. Having passed child-bearing age, however, she is on the lookout for another lover, but lacks the physical attractiveness to make such a hunt successful. Still, she offers herself to Joseph. Her mangled, pseudo-sophisticated English confuses him, and he is nearly embraced by her forcibly when Lady Booby summons Slipslop just in time.
Ch. 7 — Lady Booby and Slipslop both insist to each other that they hate Joseph. Slipslop accuses him (falsely) of getting a serving-maid pregnant. Lady Booby tells Slipslop to fire them both. Slipslop defends Joseph, and Lady Booby, after changing her mind a few times, sends for Joseph.
Ch. 8 — Fielding, after urging his easily-shocked and highly moral female readers not to condemn Lady Booby for her passion for Joseph, describes Joseph in great physical detail. Lady Booby interviews Joseph (again in her bedroom) and propositions him more directly. He still seems not to understand and protests that his Virtue would never allow him to take advantage of a high-born lady. Lady Booby is insulted again at the notion that a man can have a virtue to protect, or would want to, and again dismisses Joseph.
Ch. 9 — Mrs. Slipslop, who was eavesdropping the whole time, again tries to defend Joseph. When Lady Booby yells at her, she hints that she’ll tell all the Lady’s friends that she loves her servant. Lady Booby, realizing her predicament, makes up with Slipslop, who in turn has no desire to find a new job at her age. They reach a truce. Fielding then describes Lady Booby’s conflicting emotions in allegorical terms.
Ch. 10 — Joseph writes another letter to his sister complaining that, even though Parson Adams had taught him that Chastity was the greatest virtue one could have, no one else seems to hold the same opinion. He encourages her to protect her own chastity in her position at Mr. B__’s, and promises to do the same himself. Joseph is then given his wages and sent away; he immediately begins to walk back to his country home.
Ch. 11 — Fielding explains that the reason Joseph is going back to Sir Booby’s estate rather than his own parents’ house is because he loves a girl back home named Fanny. A sudden storm sends Joseph to an inn for shelter, where he discovers the servant of a neighboring estate back home who is driving a cart in that direction. He hitches a ride.
Ch. 12 — He gets 20 miles further along and is dropped off to continue walking. He is accosted by two thieves who beat him severely and steal his money and clothes. He is left for dead but is rescued by a coach driver who takes him inside the coach (to the vehement objections of the snooty occupants) to another Inn. The chambermaid, Betty, takes pity on him, but is unable to get a surgeon (doctor) to see him in the middle of the night. The Innkeeper, Mr. Tow-wouse, tries to give Joseph some clothes but is berated by his stingy wife. The surgeon finally comes and finds Joseph near death.
Ch. 13 — The incompetent surgeon frightens Joseph into writing a farewell letter to Fanny and sends for the clergyman, Mr. Barnabas, to offer confession to Joseph, who has no sins to confess. Joseph and Barnabas have a theological debate about forgiveness. Betty cares for Joseph against Mrs. Tow-wouse’s orders.
Ch. 14 — The other guests at the Inn (Mr. Barnabas, the doctor, a lawyer, and a “Gentleman”) discuss the unfortunate robbery and its victim. The “Gentleman” takes a particular interest in Joseph and a dislike to Mrs. Tow-wouse and the quack doctor. Betty comes with news that the thieves have been caught and Joseph’s things recovered, and she wants to find a gold charm on a ribbon that Joseph has been asking for. When the “Gentleman” sees the clothes, he recognizes them and runs up to Joseph, who recognizes the Gentleman as Parson Adams.
Ch. 15 — Joseph, improving and defended by Betty, is allowed to visit with Parson Adams, who tells him he’s on the road, headed to London to have a book of his sermons published. Parson Adams has enough money to see Joseph well cared-for for a few days more.
Ch. 16 — Parson Adams realizes his money is running out, and asks Mr. Tow-wouse if he might borrow a small sum, leaving his collection of sermons as collateral. Mr. Tow-wouse declines. Parson Adams sits and observes many disreputable types coming and going, and is invited to drink with the clergyman, Mr. Barnabas, who argues with him about the value of reading sermons. Joseph continues to improve.
Ch. 17 — Mr. Barnabas introduces Parson Adams to a bookseller, who proposes to take the manuscript on to London so that Adams can return home with Joseph. However, Adams changes his mind after the bookseller and Mr. Barnabas begin to discuss the printing and reading of sermons in a purely commercial way. Suddenly, they are interrupted by the screams of Mrs. Tow-wouse, who has found her husband in bed with Betty.
Ch. 18 — Betty’s history — and a list of her many lovers — is offered. Her naturally passionate nature took over when she tried to climb into bed with Joseph, who refused her, occasioning more praise from the narrator for his Chastity. Betty’s frustrated passion for Joseph inclines her to sleep with Mr. Tow-wouse, whose wife, we are told, will make him pay for his sin for the rest of his life.
