Tristram Shandy: a 21st-century reader's perspective
Peter Mountford
Abstract
In the 18th century, Laurence Sterne (1713 - 1768) authored 9 volumes of The Life and Opinions of
Tristram Shandy, Gentleman. The aim of this paper is to review the work from the perspective of a 21st-century
reader who has no special knowledge of literature nor interests in the period during which the book was written.
After outlining the publishing history of the 9 volumes, I then review and discuss the main characters appearing
in them. I conclude with my impressions, as a 21st-century reader, of this work.
Key words: Laurence Sterne, Tristram Shandy, Comedy, 21st Century reader's
perspective

Introduction

1762, and 1765. Prior to the publication of Tristram

The purpose of this short paper is to review The Life

Shandy, Sterne had followed an ecclesiastical career.

and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (Tristram

During that time he gained a reputation as a preacherShandy) from the perspective of a 21st-century readerof sermons, and it seems that when Sterne wrote

with no special knowledge of literature nor interests

Tristram Shandy, his experience in the pulpit led him

in the period during which the book was written, withto have at least one eye on the popular tastes of his

the objective of trying evaluate whether the book is ofaudience.

value and interest to casual modern readers. To keep

The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy,

this review as naïve as possible, I have scrupulously

Gentleman suggests an autobiography written by

avoided the temptation of researching Sterne's life,

Tristram Shandy - indeed, no other author is attributed

other than referring to the overviews provided by- but the book opens with a comical bedroom scene1）

2）

Wikipedia, and the Laurence Sterne Trust. I havein which Tristram is conceived, leaving the reader

also avoided referring to literary criticism of Tristramin little doubt that the account is fictional, and likely

Shandy for deeper insights into the aspects of thisthe author, too. The book is written in the narrative

work, and possible interpretations of the text. The

style, and Tristram often breaks off from the telling of

exception to this being the introduction given byhis tale of the Shandy family of Shandy Hall, to chat

Cedric Watts in my edition of Tristram Shandy.

3）

about his health or domestic affairs. He also discloses
to his audience the difficulties he has in presenting

Outlinehis story in a comprehensible and coherent manner.

In the 18th century, Laurence Sterne (1713 - 1768)

An excellent raconteur, he builds expectations, andpublished 9 volumes of The Life and Opinions ofwhen he suspects he has become boring, he recaptures

Tristram Shandy, Gentleman. With the exception of theour attention with a new development in the tale or a

final volume which was published singly in 1767, thehilarious joke. Furthermore, he also occasionally uses

other volumes were published in pairs in 1759, 1761,

other devices, to engage our imaginations to embellish

山梨県立大学 国際政策学部 総合政策学科
Department of Policy Management, Faculty of Glocal Policy Management and Communications, Yamanashi Prefectural
University− 151 −

山梨国際研究山梨県立大学国際政策学部紀要

No. 9（2014）

to words and actions is a central feature of Tristram

his tale.
As Tristram's account progresses, we realise that aShandy, and the question of authorship is furthermore accurate title would be The Life of Toby Shandy

complicated by the presence of Parson Yorick (we are(Tristram's uncle) and the Opinions of Walter Shandy

told he is deceased in Volume I), who is considered(Tristram's father). "Gentleman" we cannot dispute,

to be a caricature of Laurence Sterne himself. Thisand it informs us that Tristram has inherited his father'sinvites the question, did Laurence Sterne have to 'kill'

estate. However, in the volumes themselves, there is no

the persona of the cleric in order to allow Tristramaccount of Walter's death, which suggests that the work

Shandy to 'live'?

may not have been complete at the time of the Sterne'sdeath. Indeed, the final volume of Tristram Shandy

For the 21st century reader, the occupants of Shandy

is inconclusive. Most of it is concerned with Widow

Hall are familiar - with their eccentricities and highly

Wadman's courtship of Uncle Toby. Chronologically,

individualised characters they form the cast of athis took place years before Tristram's conception.

situation comedy. Here is Walter, Tristram's father, theWe can speculate over the author's intentions, but thearmchair philosopher. He has powers vested in him byleap back in time and the lack of finality or conclusive

law, by title, and by social standing. He is the fall-guy.

remarks from the author create an inconclusive ending

His fate is to be defeated in all aspects of his ambition.

to his tale.

Here is Toby his brother, the 10-year-old who has
never grown-up. Invalided out of the army by a wound

Discussion

to the groin (nudge, nudge, wink, wink), he recreates

There are two aspects to Tristram's story: themilitary campaigns in miniature with comical results

biographical part is the story of his uncle and father,in the garden. Here is Trim (the name is suggestive),and the other is the constant chatter with which theuncle Toby's man-servant, and a melodramatic man

author ingratiates himself with his audience. The storyof maudlin sentimentality. Here is Mrs. Shandy,of his uncle and father mainly takes place at the family

whose entrance is usually a prelude to the delivery

home, Shandy Hall. Tristram plays a role in his story,of a dumb blonde joke. Here is Obadiah, one ofbut as with his conception, his role is inanimate, muchWalter's servants, a rustic yokel who serves as thelike a piece of furniture, and serves only to be thebutt of several slapstick calamities. Here is Susannah,

focus of some events, conception, birth, and accidental

another servant - a feisty girl, an agent of chaos. Herecircumcision, which are treated with slapstick humour.

is Doctor Slop (the name is suggestive) ready to maim

It is notable that even when Tristram becomes olda patient (Tristram) in the name of science. Here isenough to speak for himself, he never once interposes

Widow Wadman a sexy vamp in search of a man (Toby)in the story of Shandy Hall by speaking with hisand her maid Bridget. And finally Parson Yorick, whofather, uncle or mother. He is there, an observer and aby his clerical title and Tristram's description is acommentator from afar; but in the midst of his kin, hecaricature of Tristram's ghost-writer, the true author,

is mute. A further curious feature of Tristram Shandy

Laurence Sterne himself.

is: Who is the Author? Of course, Laurence Sterne
wrote Tristram Shandy, but in name Tristram is theAbove I noted that Tristram is mute in his sit-author. In other words, is Tristram Shandy an alter ego

com role, but as the raconteur of his tale he is loudof Laurence Sterne, or is the fictional Tristram Shandy

and ebullient, regaling his audience with personala disintermediated medium who writes this tale.

anecdotes, asides, or diversions that are wholly

Ambiguity of language lending multiple meanings

unrelated to the story of Shandy Hall, as well as− 152 −

Tristram Shandy: a 21st-century reader's perspective

ignoring the catcalls. Yes, I did say audience, becauseof Walter's woes could continue. In addition to these

we the reader are not alone. Tristram frequently

examples of frustrated aims there is another aspect

addresses "Sir", "Madam", "your worships", "yourto Walter's impotence, or rather lack of potency, andreverences", as if we are one of a small number. He

that is although he is master of his house and Lordalso describes the tricks he plays on us as an author,of the Manor, he lacks the intangible qualities thatas well as discussing with us the difficulties heconfer natural authority. His wife pays no attention toexperiences in composing his work. Through thesehim, nor, in the matters of coach and horses does hisdigressions and commentaries we become acquainted

servant Obadiah (though on this account, the fault may

with Tristram Shandy in much the same way as wewell be with the master), but more tellingly, when the'discover' our colleagues and friends. We learn thatcountryside is ablaze with incorrect gossip that Toby

Tristram is a man of poor health, but desires to live

lost all of his marriage tackle at the siege of Namur,life to the full. We learn that he is a man with a greatand (chronologically later) that Tristram was castrated

breadth of knowledge and reading, but also one who(rather than circumcised) by a falling window, he is

can tell and enjoy a bawdy joke. We become wary

powerless to suppress or refute these untruths. Thisof the traps he sets for us, and the traipses down thedescription may cut Walter as a rather pathetic figure,garden path. The steady drip of personal revelations,but he is not; he has one redeeming quality, and that iscomments, diversions, and rhetorical discussion

the great equanimity and dignity with which he accepts

give shape to Tristram's character, until we cease tohis misfortunes - his anger is short-lived, he blames

regard him as an author, and come to view him as ano-one, and bears no grudge.

companion, a confidante with whom we are sharing
an intimate friendship. From this perspective, despite

The childish simplicity and innocence of Toby

the tenuousness of his literature existence, Tristram is

Shandy all contrive against the idea of him being areborn in the mind of every new reader - Life is short;soldier. Nevertheless, Captain Shandy was a soldier

Art is everlasting!

in the Nine Years' War, and though a harmless naïfat Shandy Hall, perhaps we should reflect on theI have described Walter Shandy as the fall-guy.

amorality of 10-year-old soldiers. Toby's innocence is

Man proposes, God disposes is the nature of his

virginal: "To think, said my father [Walter], of a man

predicaments. He is interrupted by his wife (sexuallyliving to your age, brother, and knowing so little about

humiliated, actually) while performing the marital

women!——I know nothing at all about them,—

duties that conceive Tristram. He calls Dr. Slop toreplied my uncle Toby." His simplicity cannot fathom

attend his wife (she prefers a midwife) when she

the philosophising of Walter, but he never offers togoes into labour, but Slop damages the newborn's

answer "by any other kind of argument, than that ofnose (phallically misrepresented) with his forceps.

whistling half a dozen bars of Lillabullero." Toby's

Walter determines his child should be named after

antics in the garden, "his Hobby-Horse", constructing

Trismegistus, "the greatest (Toby) of all earthly

models of battles and sieges, provide amusement frombeings", but the newborn has a fit and looks set

the spectacle of an adult behaving like a child. Heto die, and Walter caught in his nightgown has tofurther contributes to the comic nature of the book by

entrust Susannah to repeat the name to the curate in

farcically misconstruing possible ambiguities with

an emergency Baptism. Susannah unintentionally

meanings that the users had plainly not intended. Thismangles the name into "Tris-something, .... Tristram-climaxes when the heir-desiring Widow Wadman asks

gistus" which the curate interprets as Tristram. The list

the suitor Toby about the wound to his groin, "And− 153 −山梨国際研究山梨県立大学国際政策学部紀要

No. 9（2014）

whereabouts, dear Sir, .... did you receive this sadbridles at Walter's suggestion that she won't be able

blow?" "You shall see the very place, Madam," replies

to remember the name Trismegistus, but inevitably

Toby to an astonished Widow Wadman .... and sends

does. She flirts with the curate and with Trim. She

Trim to fetch the map! This is not to say Toby is anis thrilled at the prospect of receiving Mrs. Shandy's

irritating character; he is not. His childish innocencewardrobe, when the death of Tristram's elder brotherand wisdom - out of the mouth of babes - both amusesis announced. Yet, bursts "into a flood of tears" on

us and mocks our worldly guile.

hearing Trim's eloquence on death. She spreads gossip
and embellishes it. She flees in panic from the scene ofNo mention of Toby is complete without aTristram's circumcision, in which she is an accidental

description of his man-servant, Trim. Although Trim

accessory. She quarrels with Dr. Slop, and accidentally,

is nominally Toby's servant, the pair are like two

but petulantly sets his wig ablaze with a candle. She

inseparable 10-year-old friends, and the relationship isacts, and the consequences ripple through the story.

synergistic. Without Trim, Toby's recreations of pastcampaigns would never be realised. Trim is Toby's4）

It is difficult to disagree with Cedric Watts

facilitator. Like Jeeves and Wooster, we are posed

assertion that the central theme of Tristram Shandy

with the question of who is the master, and who is

is "threatened potency".3）Another central theme ofthe servant. Compare this partnership, though, withthe book is male relationships. There is the paternal

Walter, who has no aide-de-camp, and his thwarted

relationship of father and son, Walter and Tristram,

aims. Trim, like his master is an invalid of war, thoughalbeit mostly described from Walter's perspective.

his war-wound was to the knee, and therefore unlikely

Walter appears to have little love for Tristram - is this ato generate inquiry about his virility. As well as beingreflection of his intellectual detachment, or a statement

an enthusiastic partner in Toby's boyish pursuits, thereof his emotional isolation? - and his relationship withis another facet to his character, that of a maudlin ham

his son seems to be driven by the desire to leave aactor, a melodramatist who can perform loquacious

legacy to the world. Walter's work on a Tristrapædia

soliloquies, especially on the topic of his unjustly

for the education of his son is an example of this. By

imprisoned brother, and whose eloquence can make

Tristram's account, it is another frustrated ambition. It

the other servants cry.

appears to have been neither completed nor used, noteven in part. There is the fraternal relationship between

With the exception of Susannah, the women of

Walter and Toby. Walter is duty-bound to provide for

Tristram Shandy are by and large two-dimensional

his brother, but they are as alike as chalk and cheese.

caricatures. This is particularly true of Widow

Nevertheless, while neither would choose the other as

Wadman, the seductive widow desperate for an heir -a companion in society, the ties of family bind in an

another character in the tale with legacy issues! Mrs.

affection that would not be granted to others. There

Shandy as already noted is also cast as a stereotype.

is the antagonistic relationship of Walter and Dr.

However, the comments of Walter, who is oftenSlop. This is a relationship governed by the norms ofexasperated by her behaviour, add flesh to the two-society. The Doctor's title demands Walter's respect. It

dimensional picture, and the initial two-dimensional

seems that this respect blinds Walter to the observation

caricature gradually develops into a sketch of athat Slop is not a good practitioner. Moreover Slopwoman who serenely sails a set course, uninfluenced

is a Catholic, a fact which does not sit well withand undisturbed by the activities of those around her.

Walter - but the rules of society require that he holdSusannah, on the other hand, is a real person. She

no prejudice against him, though he also enjoys the− 154 −Tristram Shandy: a 21st-century reader's perspective

company of Slop, as he uses him as an intellectuala ham actor further underlines his apparent interest in

whipping post. Finally, there is the relationship oftheatre.

Toby and Trim, which I have described in some detail

Finally, as modern readers, we have to wonder

above. An additional question for the 21st century

how authentic the characters of Tristram Shandy

reader is Toby's sexuality in this relationship. "Myare. Were 18th-century gentlemen as colourful as

uncle Toby loved the man." Tristram Shandy is replete

Walter, Toby, or Trim? Or are we being presented with

with double entendre. Later, when Toby professedly

stylish caricatures, that were recognised as such evenfalls for Widow Wadman, Mrs. Shandy speculates onin the 18th-century. Modern mass communications

the prospect of children, but her husband apparently

give us a broad perspective of what is consideredscorns the idea: "——Lord have mercy upon me,—'normal' behaviour. However, in the 18th century,

said my father to himself—— * * * * * * * " Wesocial conduct outside the home would have beensubsequently learn that despite the wound, Toby isguided by religious instruction and etiquette guides.

physically intact; so, how should we reconcile theIn that environment, it is quite possible that eccentric

implications of these apparent contradictions?

behaviour was more widely tolerated (and respected)
than it is today. A visit to Erddig5）invites comparisons

For the 21st-century reader, Laurence Sterne's floridof its 18th-century occupants with the characters ofprose and archaic style can be quite intimidating, andShandy Hall, suggesting that in the 18th-century, thehis digressions can be boring - sermons and shaggy-

characters of Shandy Hall may not have been as far-dog stories, Slawkenbergius's Tale, are not a staple ofout as they appear to us.

modern novels. However, the aspect of the book whichgave me the greatest difficulty was the dialogues.

References

Sterne, or writer's in the 18th-century, did not use１）Wikipedia: the on-line encyclopedia
www.wikipedia.org

quotation marks and the modern print conventions for
dialogue, and I found some of the dialogues difficult to２）The Laurence Sterne Trust, Shandy Hall, Coxwold, York,England YO61 4AD

follow. As illustrated above, dialogues begin and end
with "——", and when there are multiple exchanges,
it requires the reader's interpretation to decide who iswww.laurencesternetrust.org.uk
３）Tristram Shandy: The Life and Opinions of Tristram
Shandy, Gentleman
Author: Laurence Sternesaying what, as a remark by a different speaker is not

Introduction by Cedric Watts
Published by Wordsworth Classics

given a new line.
I have already described Tristram Shandy as aISBN 978 1 85326 291 3

situation comedy, and it is as a comedy that the４）Jeeves and Wooster appear in several comic novels authoredby P.G.Wodehouse.

book retains it's appeal to the modern reader. Indeed,Jeeves, Bertie Wooster's butler, is always coming to thereading the book, invites speculation on how much it
has influenced modern writers of television comedy.

aid of his incompetent master.
５）Erddig: an 18th-century country house owned by theNational Trust

Laurence Sterne appears to have had more than apassing interest in the theatre. He lays Parson Yorickto rest with a quotation from Shakespeare's Hamlet,a still-repeated schoolboy joke: "Alas, poor Yorick!"
The actor, David Garrick, is mentioned more thanonce, suggesting an interest in theatre that transcends
flattery, and Sterne's sympathetic portrayal of Trim as− 155 −

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/erddig/