Narrative Forms and Female Image Construction of British Novels in 18th Century:A Case Study of Clarissa and Tom Jones
Samuel Richardson and Henry Fielding are the outstanding representatives of British novels in the 18th cen-tury.The former pioneered the epistolary novel,while the latter depicted a rich tapestry of British society through his"epic in prose."Richardson's use of the epistolary form accentuates the inner emotions and moral struggles of characters like Clarissa,emphasizing individual emotional experiences and moral judgments.On the other hand,Fielding's Tom Jones,with its omni-scient narration,focuses more on Sophia's role and influence in society and interpersonal relationships,creating a more di-verse and comprehensive female image.Both narrative forms have their advantages and drawbacks in shaping female charac-ters.The epistolary form may result in a less comprehensive and objective understanding of characters,while omniscient nar-ration could lead to the stereotyping and flattening of character images.Both forms reflect the inherent societal views and mor-al standards regarding women at the time,presenting a multifaceted perspective on female images in the 18th century.Rich-ardson's portrayal of Clarissa's experiences highlights the status of women in moral and societal norms,advocating for atten-tion to women's rights and dignity,and questioning societal views on marriage.Meanwhile,Fielding's depiction of female characters serves as a sharp satire and critique of the social morals and ethics of the 18th century.
epistolary narrativeomniscient narrativefemale charactersClarissaTom Jones
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