In his novel Joseph Andrews, Henry Fielding uses irony to express satire and offer social commentary. Irony “results when there is a disjunction between what the audience would expect and what actually happens.” The dominant form of irony in Joseph Andrews is dramatic irony: Fielding tricks the reader into believing that one thing is going to happen, when another is actually happening. Dramatic irony allows Fielding to “teach” “lessons” to his readers by giving examples of the unfortunate plans of vain characters while keeping the mood light. Fielding uses verbal irony to show the hypocrisy of his vain characters. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essay The entire novel is structured around the ironic statement that Fielding makes at the beginning: “But as it often happens that the best men are only little known” (61). In this vein, Fielding presents Parson Adams as the main character of the novel. The character of Parson Adams is full of irony. The duty of a clergyman is to guide his parishioners. Although he “was a perfect master of the Greek and Latin languages,” he was also “totally ignorant of the ways of this world” (65). Parson Adams' naivety makes him an endearing and kind character. Readers become familiar with Fielding's position on morality through the "adventures" of Parson Adams rather than through his speech. Specific incidents of dramatic irony show readers the madness of specific characters. Henry Fielding offers social commentary by giving stupid people who indulge in their vanity unexpected results. Leonora, the object of aspiring lawyer Horatio's love, unexpectedly abandons him for Bellarmine and his "coach and six" (135). However, it is soon revealed that Bellarmine does not love Leonora, but is only fascinated by her money. When his father refuses to give money to Bellarmine, "he goes straight to his own headquarters" (152) with an ironic message: "I hope we see you again in Paris, until the wind that blows comes out to be the hottest in the World" (153). Bellarmine has no desire to see Leonora, because his money can't help him. This is ironic, because Leonora abandons true love for a man who wants only use it In the end, his vanity fails him. Fielding shows that morality does not depend on wealth when he describes a poor peddler who saves vicar Adams when a rich clergyman, Tulliver, refuses to bail out. a fellow pastor Fielding also uses irony to comedic effect: the accusation that Pastor Adams attempted to kidnap Fanny, Joseph Andrew's beloved, when he actually saved her, is initially. Alarming, however, the reader must recognize the absurdity of Adams' misfortune, as well as the stupidity of his accuser. Even so, Fielding offers social satire when Adams' trial is blocked by the very people who hope to benefit from his arrest. They argue over the amount of money awarded to each, one claiming that "he should have the biggest share, because he got his hands on Adams first", another for "having first held the lantern before the man’s face” (164). ). The selfishness of Pastor Adams' accusers causes his trial to be postponed while they argue over who deserves the pastor's money. Verbal irony is used to reveal the hypocrisy of several other characters. Lady Booby and Mrs. Slipslop belittle Joseph Andrews after he rejects them both. In Lady Booby's heart, however, "she had not yet completely" (334).