Joseph Andrews

Who are Parson Williams and Adams?

Joseph andrews

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Parson Abraham Adams is the clergyman in Lady Booby's town. He is an excellent scholar and a master of Greek and Latin who can also read and translate French, Italian and Spanish. Besides being a very learned man, Adams is a man of "good Sense, good Parts, and good Nature" (p. 18); however, he is very innocent and naive, expecting honesty from others because he is not deceitful. Adams is generous, friendly and brave, possessing a simplicity of character that makes him an agreeable and valuable companion. At the age of fifty, he lives in the country with his wife and six children.

Parson Adams encounters Joseph on the road to London to sell his volumes of sermons as Joseph is ill in an inn after being robbed and beaten. From this point, Adams accompanies Joseph on his journey, and his bravery and innocence causes many adventures. One such is seen when he rescues Fanny from a man with lustful intentions. Adams rejoices in others' happiness and the ideal model of the clergy which Fielding approves of. When Lady Booby insists he discourage Joseph and Fanny's marriage, he refuses because he feels his moral duties are more important than tending to his financial obligations and, eventually, Adams is able to join Joseph and Fanny in the state of matrimony.

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Parson Williams is Shamela's lover before she meets Mr. Booby and they continue their affair after her marriage.

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Joseph Andrews