The History of the Life of the Late Mr. Jonathan Wild the Great

"The History of the Life of the Late Mr. Jonathan Wild the Great" by Henry Fielding is a novel that uses satire to tell the story of Jonathan Wild, a famous criminal who doesn't steal himself but instead works as an informer and takes stolen goods. Through Wild's adventures and strange personality, the book looks at ideas about evil behavior and what it really means to be "great," comparing old-fashioned ideas of goodness with the real, flawed ways people try to succeed and often fail morally. At the beginning, we meet Wild as a larger-than-life person created by both the real Wild and Fielding's creative mind. The first parts of the book describe Wild's family history, how he grew up, and how his character has conflicting morals. Early on, Wild shows a natural skill for tricking people and creates his own excuses for his actions. The story is full of irony, as Fielding makes fun of what society expects and how it often oddly praises people for being "great," pushing readers to question what true courage and moral honesty really are.