Appendix 3.2: Sample films - synopses and character lists
TOM JONES UK 63
women
Sod it, what a little whoremaster that boy is.
The women will like him the better for it.
(Squire Western)
Look at him Ma’am, he’s the most handsome man I ever saw
in my life.
(Sophie’s maid Honor)
Your little maid is obviously right. He’s a very pretty
fellow. No wonder so many women are fond of him.
(Lady Belleston)
and by the narrator, implicitly, as a man with a considerable
sexual appetite
To those who find our hero's behaviour startling, the
answer is simple. Tom had always thought that any woman
was better than none.
Tom is, in fact, always passive in the initiation of his
sexual encounters, as he disarmingly admits to Lady Belleston.
Lady B: Tell me, Mr Jones, are you used to making these
sudden conquests?
Tom: I'm used to submitting.
There is far more attention paid in the film to the sexual
appetites of female characters than of the males. Molly, Mrs
Walters, Lady Belleston, Harriet Fitzpatrick - all of these
initiate or attempt to initiate encounters with Tom whereas
the only men we see expressing desire are the inept and
foppish Lord Fellemer in his unpleasant attempt to rape
Sophie, and the hot tempered Irishman Fitzpatrick who climbs
into bed with Mrs Walters after Tom's hasty departure at the
end of the farcical chase scene at the Upton inn. Since he
had received a clear invitation it is a moot point whether he
could be said to have initiated the encounter, though he was
clearly prepared to enjoy it.
Female characters in order of appearance, character groups
|
1_____ |
Servants in the Allworthy household |
4_____ |
|
2_____ |
Squire Allworthy's sister Bridget |
4_____ |
|
3_____ |
Mrs Wilkins, Squire Allworthy's housekeeper |
4____ |
|
4_____ |
Jeeny Jones aka Mrs Walters |
3_____ |
|
5____ |
Molly, Black George's daughter |
3_____ |
|
6_____ |
Sophie Western |
2_____ |
280