* Chapter 1: Mr. Allworthy finds a baby boy abandoned in his bed and raises him as his own, naming him Tom Jones.
* Chapter 2: Squire Western, a neighboring landowner, visits Allworthy and brings his sister Bridget with him. Bridget is immediately smitten with Tom.
* Chapter 3: Mr. Thwackum, the local clergyman, and Mr. Square, the local schoolteacher, debate over the best way to educate Tom.
* Chapter 4: Tom is sent to boarding school, where he quickly gets into trouble.
* Chapter 5: Tom is expelled from boarding school and returns home to Allworthy.
Book II
* Chapter 1: Tom falls in love with Sophia Western, the daughter of Squire Western.
* Chapter 2: Sophia is also in love with Tom, but her father has other plans for her.
* Chapter 3: Squire Western forbids Sophia from seeing Tom, and she is sent to live with her aunt in London.
* Chapter 4: Tom follows Sophia to London and tries to win her back.
* Chapter 5: Tom and Sophia are reunited, but they are still faced with the opposition of Squire Western.
Book III
* Chapter 1: Tom gets into a fight with Mr. Blifil, Sophia's cousin, and is forced to leave London.
* Chapter 2: Tom travels to Bath, where he meets Lady Bellaston, a wealthy widow who takes a liking to him.
* Chapter 3: Tom has an affair with Lady Bellaston, but he still loves Sophia.
* Chapter 4: Sophia comes to Bath and discovers Tom's affair with Lady Bellaston.
* Chapter 5: Sophia is heartbroken and returns to her aunt's house in London.
Book IV
* Chapter 1: Tom is arrested for debt and taken to prison.
* Chapter 2: Mr. Allworthy pays Tom's debts and frees him from prison.
* Chapter 3: Tom travels to London and reconciles with Sophia.
* Chapter 4: Squire Western gives his blessing to Tom and Sophia's marriage.
* Chapter 5: Tom and Sophia are married and live happily ever after.