Henry Fielding and the narration of Providence: divine design and the incursions of evil
Book Description
This scholarly exploration examines how divine providence and human understanding intersect within the literary landscape of eighteenth-century England, focusing specifically on the novels of Henry Fielding. Richard Rosengarten presents a compelling analysis of how Fielding's storytelling techniques reveal profound questions about humanity's ability to perceive God's design in the world.
Through careful examination of Fielding's narrative approach, Rosengarten traces an evolution in how providence is understood and portrayed. The author demonstrates how Fielding's early works position divine providence as a central force between creation and final judgment, while his later novel Amelia presents a more unified vision where providence and ultimate destiny become inseparable concepts.
The study reveals what Rosengarten calls "principled diffidence" in Fielding's treatment of divine design. This approach acknowledges the reality of providence while maintaining humility about human capacity to fully comprehend God's workings in history. Fielding's narrator-historians guide readers through stories that explore the boundaries of what we can truly know about divine intention, even when looking backward at completed events.
For readers interested in the intersection of literature and spiritual understanding, this work offers insights into how narrative art can illuminate the eternal tension between human perception and divine mystery. The analysis positions Fielding's contribution within a broader tradition of providential storytelling that spans from Augustine's personal confessions to modern American literature.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Short (< 200 pages) (~5 hours)
📄 Length: 171 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore History and criticism
- ✓ Explore Providence and government of God in literature
- ✓ Explore English literature, history and criticism
- ✓ Explore Good and evil in literature
- ✓ Explore Narration (Rhetoric)
- ✓ Explore Religion
- ✓ Explore English Didactic fiction
- ✓ Explore Evil in literature
