How did Tom Help Black George’s Family in Distress?
Tom Jones is a notable literary work by Henry Fielding. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Tom Jones.
Answer
How did Tom help Black George’s family in distress?
In Henry Fielding’s (1707-1754) novel “Tom Jones” (1749), the protagonist Tom Jones is known for his kind-hearted and generous nature. Throughout the novel, Tom Jones helps Black George’s family in several meaningful ways.
Selling Horse and Bible: Black George, a gamekeeper for Squire Allworthy, faces financial difficulties that threaten his family’s well-being. In Book III, we first see Tom’s concern for Black George. To protect the gamekeeper, he takes the blame for a hunting incident, which leads to Tom receiving a flogging.
Later, Tom sells a horse that Allworthy gave him and uses the money to support Black George’s family, who are struggling after George loses his job. When questioned by Mr. Allworthy, Tom bravely admits his actions. Again, Tom sells a Bible to Blifil to give money to Black George. This shows Tom’s deep compassion for the family.
A Visit to Black George’s Habitation: On one occasion, Tom Jones slily takes Mr. Allworthy and Master Bilfil to the house of Black George to show them the poverty-stricken condition of Black George’s family. They find the family in “misery with which cold, hunger, and nakedness,”. This scene deeply affects Mr. Allworthy’s kind heart, and he helps them. He immediately gave Black George’s wife a couple of guineas to clothe her children. The poor woman burst into tears at this goodness. While thanking Mr Allworthy’s generosity, the woman also expresses her gratitude to Tom Jones. The following line is a direct reference from the novel –
and while she was thanking him [Mr. Allworthy], could not refrain from expressing her gratitude to Tom; who had, she said, long preserved both her and hers from starving.
To wrap up, throughout the novel, Tom’s actions consistently reflect his good nature. Despite his flaws and youthful indiscretions, his unwavering support for Black George and his family shows his capacity for kindness and loyalty.