The full title of the book is “The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling”. 

Tom Jones is made up of three parts.

The first part begins with the discovery of a baby boy in the bed of Mr Allworthy, a rich and benevolent gentleman, who decides to adopt him named him Tom Jones.

Tom is generous and full of energy and he grows up with Blifil, son of Mr Allworthy' s sister, Mrs Bridget, who dies very young. Blifil, on the contrary, is mean and constantly seeks to harm Tom. 

When Tom is 20, he falls in love with Sophia Western, his neighbour' s daughter, but their relationship is opposed by her father who rejects the idea of marrying his daughter to a foundling.

Blifil, who wants to marry Sophia, spreads lies about Tom who is compelled to leave Mr Allworthy' s house. 

The second part deals with the adventures Tom has to face on the road to London, and a host of new characters encountered. It also describes Sophia's perilous journey to the capital in search of Tom, after escaping from her house for fear of marrying Blifil. 

The third part is set in London, where Tom's true identity is discovered. Tom is the illegitimate son of Mrs Bridget, so he can happily marry Sophia. Blifil, who hid the truth about Tom's birth from Mr Allworthy, is thrown out of the estate.