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Book 1, Chapter 15
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
When the surgeon and Mr. Barnabas make it to the inn, they find that the thief has already gotten away. Some blame the constable for letting the thief get away after taking a bribe from him. Abraham Adams is low on money, so he tries to borrow some guineas from Mr. Tow-wouse; offering as collateral one of his 10 books of sermons, but Mr. Tow-wouse turns him down.
Despite all the arguments over justice in the previous chapter, here, the thief gets away, possibly by making a corrupt deal. This suggests that arguments about justice don’t make much difference if they don’t lead to action in the real world.
Themes
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Abraham Adams feels dejected after being denied a loan, but he cheers up when Mr. Barnabas arrives at the inn. They bond over their shared profession as clergymen, drinking a bowl of punch as they talk about the importance of sermons. Meanwhile, Joseph Andrews makes a remarkable recovery over the next few days.
Adams and Barnabas both feel a sense of self-importance about their role as clergymen, and so they each take turns puffing up the value of being in the clergy. Although they compliment each other, they are also complimenting themselves.
Themes
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