Allen do mention the Man of the Hill episode as irrelevant to the plot of the novel, when compared to Locke, the scene shines a new light of knowledge and experience that may have been Fielding's purpose (Watt 280; Allen 61).
             As Tom Jones travels throughout the countryside in the picaresque novel Tom Jones, he encounters many life-influencing characters. One such character is introduced as Tom and Partridge are traveling from the city of Gloucester. The Man of the Hill, who lives upon a hill in a small cabin, tells stories to Tom and Partridge that shape Tom's thoughts and actions, and help Tom to mold into the character he will become. This is a direct example of Fielding's belief in active living.
             The Man of the Hill, looked at fully, signifies a prophet-like character. He seems to be all knowing and to have great theoretical wisdom. Ernest A. Baker views the tale as a "parable to Jones, who for his part finds that natural sagacity and regard for the lessons of experience are a better guide than credulous reliance on the goodness of others" (Baker 48). The Old Man gives Tom knowledge and an example for which to live by.
             Initially, the Man of the Hill brings out Tom's heroic quality and also his sense of adventure. Scaling a large hill at night is not necessarily a menial task, as Partridge understands. Tom, the adventure character he is, persists to climb the hill on a cold frosty night, which results in the discovery of a cabin (Fielding 443). Heroism is also exemplified when Tom saves the Man of the Hill from the robbers. Tom didn't think twice about defending the man. He snatched "an old broad-sword which hung in the room, he instantly sallied out" (Fielding 447). Even with heroic feats, Tom's benevolence shill shines through. After defeating the two robbers, Tom was concerned about the man. Tom truly exemplif
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