How does The Life of Mr. Jonathan Wild the Great criticize ideas about power and greatness?

In The Life of Mr. Jonathan Wild the Great (1743), Henry Fielding employs a mock-heroic style and unremitting irony to critique the concept of "greatness" as it is often conflated with the mere exercise of power over others.12

By narrating the life of a notorious historical criminal—a master thief and extortionist—Fielding draws a derisive parallel between the criminal underworld and England’s political elite. This comparison serves to expose the moral bankruptcy of those who achieve status through exploitation and betrayal rather than genuine virtue.123

Ultimately, the work functions as a grim satire that challenges the reader to distinguish between true greatness and the ruthless, self-serving ambition that often characterizes those in positions of authority.2