ABSTRACT
Fielding's conclusion of the David Simple narratives was published in February 1753. The lawsuit and David's ill-advised handling of it have shattering effects on the principal characters of Volume the Last, especially David himself, who becomes increasingly resigned from the business of life. Given Fielding's horrific personal experiences, it is unsurprising that Volume the Last is her most somber work to date. The connections Fielding draws among selflessness, self-control and personal fortitude tie Volume the Last to both her previous and subsequent writings, as do her consistent condemnations of egotism and pride, which she explores through the characters of Mr. and Mrs. Orgueil. Donna Landry, for example, finds great significance in Fielding's use of the words "commonwealth" and "republic", which she uses to connect Volume the Last to the most radical voices of the English Revolution. In Volume the Last, Fielding's emphasis on the palliative capability of religion becomes even more pronounced.
