Jonathan Wild (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: Henry Fielding
- First Published: 1743
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Social satire
- Time of Work: Late seventeenth century
- Setting: England
- Genres: Long fiction, Social realism, Satire
- Subjects: Values, Prisoners, Crime or criminals, Jealousy, envy, or resentment, England or English people, Seventeenth century, Moral conditions, London
- Locales: London, England
Characters Discussed
Jonathan Wild, a descendant of many men hanged for thievery and treason. He becomes a notorious criminal, beginning as a pickpocket while still a schoolboy. He becomes a criminal leader and gathers about him a gang of thieves who do his bidding. He shows his “greatness” as a criminal by being dishonest even to his friends and companions. His highest aim is to send his honest friend, Heartfree, to the gallows. Instead, he himself dies on the gallows, cursing humankind.
Count La Ruse, a fellow criminal with Jonathan Wild. He is a pickpocket...
[The entire page is 528 words long]
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