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Book 4, Chapter 5
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
Joseph Andrews and Pamela are reunited at Lady Booby’s place; they shed tears of joy. Joseph tells everyone about his recent adventures; Lady Booby is interested, but she doesn’t like the parts about Fanny. Nevertheless, it’s arranged—with Abraham Adams’s approval—that Joseph and Fanny will be married on Monday.
Abraham Adams previously preached to Joseph and Fanny about how they should be patient and put off marriage, but after adventuring with them on the road, he has grown closer to them and witnessed their maturity, so he now feels that they’re ready.
Themes
Lady Booby complains to Mrs. Slipslop about Pamela; she thinks Squire Booby could have married someone better. Mrs. Slipslop agrees, saying what Lady Booby wants to hear to get back into her good graces. She suggests that if Fanny were out of the way, Joseph Andrews certainly wouldn’t turn down marrying a woman like Lady Booby. At first, Lady Booby acts like the suggestion scandalizes her, but Mrs. Slipslop suggests that Joseph is worthy, and that Lady Booby’s affection would make him worthier. With that, they say goodnight, and Mrs. Slipslop leaves.
Mrs. Slipslop is an experienced servant, and this passage suggests that one of the ways she’s been able to stick around so long is by repeating her master’s own words back to her. Perhaps Mrs. Slipslop has learned Lady Booby’s ways a little too well, since like her master, Mrs. Slipslop also feels unrequited love toward Joseph. She competes with Lady Booby even as she pretends to be helping her.
Themes
