The History of the Life of the Late Mr. Jonathan Wild the Great

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Fielding, Henry, 1707-1754

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"The History of the Life of the Late Mr. Jonathan Wild the Great" by Henry Fielding is a satirical novel written in the early 18th century. The book explores the life of its titular character, Jonathan Wild, a notorious criminal who, rather than being a thief himself, operates as an informer and receiver of stolen goods. Through his exploits and the absurdities of his character, Fielding delves into themes of vice and the complicated nature of "greatness," contrasting traditional values of virtue against the flawed reality of human ambition and moral failings. At the start of the narrative, readers are introduced to Wild as a larger-than-life figure shaped by both his real-life counterpart and Fielding's vivid imagination. The opening chapters set the stage for a detailed account of Wild's ancestry, upbringing, and the moral contradictions surrounding his character. Wild's early life is marked by a series of exploits that reflect both his innate talent for manipulation and a self-justifying worldview. The narrative tone is rich with irony, as Fielding critiques societal expectations and the often absurd glorification of what constitutes a "great man" in society, urging readers to contemplate the true nature of heroism and moral integrity. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by Nicole Apostola, Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team

Notes:

Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Life_and_Death_of_Jonathan_Wild,_the_Great

Reading ease score: 53.4 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.

Release date is 2004-03-01