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Book 1, Chapter 8
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Joseph Andrews, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Hypocrisy
Lust vs. Chastity
Social Class
Religion and Charity
Summary
Analysis
Lady Booby tells Mrs. Slipslop that she believes all the rumors about Joseph Andrews and wants to fire him immediately. Mrs. Slipslop argues that she was mistaken—Joseph is no worse than any other footman would be. But Lady Booby insists on firing Joseph. In response, Mrs. Slipslop threatens to spill some secrets about Lady Booby.
Mrs. Slipslop realizes that her scheme was a mistake and tries to backtrack, but it’s too late. Lady Booby also doesn’t want Joseph to leave, but her pride is so hurt by his rejection that she feels the need to take action against him.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
In the end, Lady Booby goes instead to her steward, Mr. Peter Pounce, and asks him to pay Joseph Andrews his final wages and then throw him out of the house. Lady Booby remains uneasy, however, about how servants like Mrs. Slipslop could ruin her reputation. She also has not quite overcome her own passion for Joseph.
Lady Booby’s inability to give Joseph the news face-to-face shows how she is too cowardly to face the consequences of her own actions. As she does with many things in her life, she sends a servant to take care of it.
Themes
Literary Devices
Quiz
Test Yourself
