Complete Exam Guide Subject-wise practice platform
Picaresque Narrative · English Literature

What function does the companion figure, such as Strap in 'Roderick Random' or Partridge in 'Tom Jones', typically perform within an 18th-century picaresque narrative?

  1. They act as a secret agent working for the main villain to sabotage the protagonist.
  2. A moral foil whose simple loyalty or naivety contrasts with the protagonist's worldliness.
  3. They give technical scientific explanations for the hero's magic tricks.
  4. They act as the main judge who ultimately sentences the picaro to prison at the end.
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A moral foil whose simple loyalty or naivety contrasts with the protagonist's worldliness.

The loyal servant or companion is a vital picaresque convention that dates back to Sancho Panza. In 18th-century English iterations, characters like the faithful barber-schoolmaster Partridge or the devoted schoolmate Strap highlight the protagonist's flaws. Their naive reactions and absolute devotion provide both comic relief and a touchstone of genuine human affection in a hostile world.

Difficulty: Medium Question 1 of 11

Practice all 11 Picaresque Narrative questions

Keep practicing

More Picaresque Narrative questions