The Function of the Narrator in Henry Fielding's "Tom Jones"

Henry Fielding's novel, Tom Jones, is examined for its significant role in the evolution of the novel as a literary genre during the eighteenth century. The essay highlights how prose fiction, often overshadowed by poetry and drama, began to establish its literary merit. Fielding's innovative use of humor not only set a new standard for storytelling but also contributed to the acceptance of the novel as a legitimate form of literature, marking a pivotal moment in literary history.