Realism in Modern and Ancient World

Realism means; accurate of imitation of life as it is. But realism is used in two ways; Firstly, to denote a literary movement of 18^th century, especially in prose fiction. Secondly, to denote a recurrent ways of representing life in literature which was typified writers of this historical movement.

The first realist was Daniel Defoe who is famous due to Robin Crusoe’s Adventure. On the other hand Jane Austen presents middle class realism. Fielding is also a realist with a wide range covering realism in the field of novels.

Actually fielding expose realism in characters, in manners, in thinking of high and low people of his society…But actually Fielding’s Joseph Andrews is the parody of Richardson’s Pamela with the theme of preservation chastity.

In Fielding’s novel realism and irony plays an important role in developing the story. Richardson gives psychological details while Fielding give psychological an, metal and physical details to correct the unhealthy concept of chastity. He paints people as they are and what they do in real life with their aims and objects.

Barnabas, Trulliber, Lady Booby, Mrs. Slispop, , Squares of Fool, the Squares of False promise Joseph, Fanny and Parson Adam…all these characters Fielding has seen with his own physical eyes in his life. Barnabas is more interested in punching than in saying prayers. On the other hand, the surgeon knows very little about medicines. Trulliber is more hog dealer than a priest. Happy-go-Lucky, magistrate takes no interest in law but in politics.

The people are presented in the novel are selfish, insensible and stone hearted. As we see Joseph is wounded by a robber but the surgeon refused to treat Joseph while he was sitting in the Inn all alone. On the other hand, Mrs. Two Wouse forbids her husband to give his to Joseph.

Fielding has shown a perfect picture of 18^th century realism. He reveals simple and complicated life skillfully. Jerry Lalas says, “Fielding presents psychological realism and metal realism of the 18^th century in a fine way. His character-selection shows that his mind eye is like eagle that sees everything from a long distance. But like vultures he smells his characters’ psychology and mentality.”

He had shown the realism of the upper class and lower class with their original doings in the room and society. Lady Booby does like Adam’s sitting on the dining table. All the characters are careless in duty and immoral in talking and dealing.

For example the upper class does not follow law and order in the practical life while

the lower class is forced to follow the law and order. There is a big contrast between the upper and lower class. We may call Fielding the critic of the society not the painter of the society.

To sum up, Fielding’s art is a fine piece of literature. Fielding does not write for wise-men but for the common readers of town to convey his message; He portraits natural major trends of the 18th century. Fielding, comparing to Swift his irony is less intellectual than Swift.

Walter Raleigh says, “If some wants to know about what the people of the 18^th century were doing, thinking and acting, he must read Fielding’s Joseph Andrews in loneliness. He will know everything in detail about the people of the 18^th century.”