I also thought about Tom Jones when the family situations escalated into the absurd.

Another mixture of enjoyment and exasperation were the author's propensity to stop the action and insert an essay (or sermon) to share his philosophy of life, politics, etc. This occurs in a couple instances in Mansfield Park, as well (I call them essay moments). I have speculated that the author really wants to share an important part of their life with us, and the way they do that is to have a character sermonize or rhapsodize with us for a spell. Austen's has a better flow within her plot than in the VoW, but I still enjoyed taking a moment to try to hear what Goldsmith was trying to share.

Overall, I enjoyed this rambunctious short work, with all its faults. Thanks to all who participated and to the moderators.