Importance of Love and Affection:
Fielding emphasizes the significance of love and affection as essential foundations for a successful marriage. In the relationship between Tom Jones and Sophia Western, he depicts a genuine and passionate love that overcomes obstacles and societal conventions. Love is portrayed as a unifying force that can endure trials and tribulations.
Duty and Honor:
Fielding also highlights the notion of duty and honor within the context of marriage. Characters like Captain Blifil show the negative consequences of prioritizing social status and economic gain over true affection. Conversely, the characters of Allworthy and Mrs. Miller exemplify the virtues of duty and selflessness in their respective marriages. Fielding suggests that true happiness can be found when duty and love coexist harmoniously.
Marriage as a Social Construct:
The novel also exposes the prevailing social constraints imposed on marriage during the 18th century. Society's influence on marital choices and the pressure to conform to social norms are evident in the behavior of characters like Squire Western and Lady Bellaston. However, Fielding subtly critiques these constraints and suggests the importance of individuality and genuine emotions in mate selection.
Social Mobility and Marriage:
Fielding delves into the role of marriage in achieving social mobility. The union between Jones and Sophia, for example, brings together wealth and noble birth with "true gentility" based on character and virtue. Through such arrangements, the novel hints at the potential for societal change and the rise of meritocracy over rigid class distinctions.
Marriage Plots and Happy Endings:
In keeping with the conventional literary expectations of his time, Fielding concludes the novel with multiple marriages and harmonious resolutions. The virtuous characters are rewarded with successful matches, reflecting societal norms and emphasizing the triumph of moral rectitude.
Marriage in "Tom Jones" ultimately offers insights into love, duty, societal influences, individual choices, and the complexities that arise when characters' beliefs and desires intersect with prevailing societal attitudes. Fielding uses marriage as a lens through which he critiques social customs and promotes ideas of genuine affection, personal virtue, and the pursuit of true happiness in intimate relationships.