How did Henry Fielding structure Tom Jones?

Henry Fielding structured The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling as a masterpiece of literary engineering, carefully planned to function as a comic epic in prose.12

Key structural elements include:

• Romance Plot: The narrative is built around a central romance, following the protagonist’s journey to overcome numerous obstacles before finally winning the hand of Sophia Western.31
• Introductory Chapters: Fielding included introductory chapters at the beginning of each book, demonstrating his deliberate approach to the planning and artifice of the novel.1
• Character Groups: The cast is organized into distinct categories, including romance figures, villains, Jonsonian “humours,” and “low” comic characters, with Squire Allworthy providing a background presence that ensures a conventional resolution.1
• Narrative Devices: The structure incorporates techniques from theatre, epic poetry, and painting, alongside a flamboyant authorial presence where the narrator directly engages the reader to discuss ethical and critical questions.12
• Pacing and Setting: The plot moves characters across the country, allowing Fielding to contrast scenes of high and low life in London and the provinces.1