Tom Jones Book 7, Chapter 3 Summary

Containing Several Dialogues

  • The morning that Tom leaves, Mrs. Western draws Sophia aside for yet another lecture.
  • This time, the lecture is on marriage as an opportunity for a woman to invest in her future.
  • Sophia tries to avoid this discussion of marriage.
  • But Mrs. Western won't shut up.
  • She warns Sophia that Squire Western is totally determined to finish up this marriage between Sophia and Mr. Blifil.
  • Sophia has one objection she cannot get over: she really hates Mr. Blifil.
  • Mrs. Western doesn't really see this as a problem.
  • After all, it's very fashionable in town not to like your husband.
  • Sophia continues to insist that she absolutely will not marry Mr. Blifil.
  • Squire Western overhears this and shouts that she will.
  • Squire Western immediately gets into an argument with his sister over whose fault it is that Sophia is being so impossible.
  • Mrs. Western storms off on her own.