Rationalism Versus Passion: Determining the Full Cycle of a Developed Character in the Novel Joseph Andrews

Cicero, a famous Roman orator once proclaimed, “He only employs his passion who can make no use of his reason.” Reason and rationalization are the basis for long-term happiness in Henry Fielding’s novel, Joseph Andrews. The struggles characters face when coming to terms between their decisions based on rationalization and passion expose two opposite strategies in thinking. This forms the basis for rich character development, and good story-telling.

The importance of rational thinking versus passionate decision-making forms the distinguishing differences in character relationships and interactions between one another. It is evident that rationalization leads to long-term fulfillment, whereas, passion only satisfies immediate needs.

In the beginning of Joseph Andrews, the reader is introduced to Lady Booby, one of many characters who face the crisis of choosing rationalism versus succumbing to passion.

Lady Booby unwilling submits to the passions she feels for her servant, Joseph Andrews. Although he rejects her advancements, she continues throughout the novel to toil with the feelings she has for Joseph. After initially dismissing Joseph, Lady Booby struggles with trying to decide between two sets of different passions; one in which she may revoke his sentence because of her love for Joseph, and his honor, and the other to dismiss him based on her revenge and pride (83).

Another instance of passion and rationalism is displayed in the side-story of the fateful lovers, Leonora and Horatio. The couple passionately engages with one another at the onset of their relationship. However, Horatio must leave on a short journey, in which calamity ensues.

Horatio returns to find his lover consumed with passion for someone else. This second lover, Bellarmine, initially reciprocates mutual feelings toward Leonora. Eventually, his feelings subside and the potential for a long-term commitment with Leonora is gone, evident with his abandoning Leonora in the end.

Leonora’s new man is well-off and may be able to support her financially, although he holds none of the passionate feelings that Horatio had for her. Ultimately, with the advice of her aunt, Leonora chooses the wealthy, well-dressed gentleman, Bellarmine. Even Leonora’s actions towards Horatio upon his return show the alteration of her feelings of devotion towards someone else, when she interacts with her former lover: “Horatio advancing to Lenora ask’d her in a Whisper, if that Gentleman was not a Relation of her’s; to which she answered with a Smile, or rather Sneer, ‘No, he is no Relation of mine yet’” (139).

Although others seem to rationalize for her, Leonora has no control over her own thoughts. She continues to feel deeply for whichever man she believes best suits her materialistic happiness.

Continuing on to other characters’ situations in the novel Joseph Andrews, Parson Adams sets an example of rationalization in determining choices. Adams scolds Joseph for his feelings for Fanny when she is kidnapped. Adams determines that fate, or “the Will of Providence,” will present the outcome of the situation. Showing fits of passion may be seen as a vain attempt to exhibit feelings towards another, when in fact, the conclusion has already been determined. This point is exemplified when the Parson states “All Passions are criminal in their Excess, and even Love itself, if it is not subservient to our Duty, may render us blind to it” (303).

The design of understanding passion throughout the novel may be best described through the outburst Parson Adams displays after lecturing Joseph about duty, when he learns his youngest son has drowned:

“He stood silent a moment, and soon began to stamp about the Room and deplore his Loss with the bitterest Agony…he used many Arguments that he had at several times remember’d out of his own Discourses both in private and publick, (for he was a great Enemy to the Passions, and preached nothing more than the Conquest of them by Reason and Grace) but he was not at leisure now to hearken to his Advice” (303).

Although not displayed as a sexual relationship, this outburst shows the passion of love Adams has for his son. This reaction to the potential loss of a loved one shows the importance of inevitably succumbing to passion, even if only occasionally.

This also holds true for the ideas of Joseph and Fanny’s marriage. Parson Adams insists on having a bann for their marriage to in fact make it legal in the eyes of God and their community. However, Joseph and Fanny are passionately in love, and want nothing more than to claim their devotion to one another and begin their lives together.

“He insists that Joseph and Fanny go through the full procedure of publishing banns rather than follow their impetuous desires and be married by licence straight away” (xxv).

Again, Lady Booby enters the picture trying to thwart the union between Joseph and Fanny. She knows it’s unacceptable for her to be united with Joseph, and very unlikely that he will accept her, but she continues to dissuade numerous characters in an attempt to keep Joseph from ever being able to wed Fanny.

However, Lady Booby’s attempts are in vain as Joseph continues to try and finalize his union with Fanny.

With these actions, Parson Adams continues to lecture Joseph and point out that he is driven by his passion.

“You are too much inclined to Passion, Child, and have set your Affections so absolutely on this young Woman, that God required her at your hands, I fear you would reluctantly part with her. Now believe me, no Christian ought so to set his Heart on any Person or Thing in this manner by Divine Providence, he may be able, peaceably, quietly, and contentedly to resign it” (303).

This passion subsides and leads to rationalization after Joseph and Fanny find out they may be brother and sister, in which an incestual relationship would occur.

Even the advice Joseph’s sister, Pamela, offers about accepting Joseph and Fanny’s relationship seems ridiculous. “She said, if he loved Fanny as he ought, with a pure Affection, he had no Reason to lament being related to her” (321). This realization puts into perspective the ideas of marrying his newfound sister. The passion both Joseph and Fanny had previously expressed is replaced by feelings of apprehension, and the ideas of rational thinking begin to surface. Their decision is then to live together and maintain a platonic relationship, showing the rational side of love, instead of the passionate, sexual nature in which they would otherwise engage in.

Other characters’ relationships also portray this idea of rationality through marriage and relationships. Most prominently, Mr. Wilson shows the full scope of growth from passion to rationality by first succumbing to passion, and later finding his wife and living contently with her companionship (231). “I declare I have found none of my own Sex capable of making juster Observations on Life, or of delivering them more agreeably; nor do I believe any one possessed of a faithfuller or braver Friend” (233).

So it seems, the ideas of passion are accepted and legitimate in the instances of mutual understanding between both parties. It is shown that if there is conflict with passion, rationalizing seems to be victorious in determining the right course of action.

Lady Booby’s passion for Joseph is unacceptable because her feelings are not returned. Leonora and Bellarmine cannot be passionate lovers because Leonora’s feelings are not reciprocated. Even Parson Adams cannot accept his own passion for the potential loss of his son because it contradicts his own rational thinking. It is only when characters such as Leonora and Horatio, or Joseph and Fanny unite, that this passion is acceptable and wanted.

Although passion among characters may be charming and exciting, rational thinking leads to long-term commitment and sound judgment among characters. Rational characters, such as Mr. Wilson and the matured Joseph Andrews, determine their eventual happiness by accepting what makes the most sense.

 Works Cited

Fielding, Henry. Joseph Andrews. England: Penguin, 1999. 

Hawley, Judith. Joseph Andrews (Introduction). England: Penguin, 1999. vii-xxix.