Amelia follows the struggles of a virtuous woman and her flawed husband as they navigate the harsh realities of 18th-century London society. The narrative centers on Amelia Booth, who attempts to maintain her family's integrity while her husband, Captain William Booth, falls prey to gambling, infidelity, and financial ruin. Fielding employs a complex, multi-layered structure that examines the intersection of private morality and public corruption. The text functions as a social critique, utilizing a third-person perspective to expose the systemic failures of the legal and penal systems of the era.

Discussion often centers on the shift in Fielding's tone from the exuberant satire of his earlier works to the more somber, realistic approach found in this novel. Readers frequently highlight the depth of the protagonist's characterization, noting that Amelia serves as a complex moral anchor amidst the chaos of her husband's poor decisions. Critics often examine the effectiveness of the book's social commentary, particularly regarding the treatment of the poor and the corruption within the judicial system. The pacing is noted for its deliberate, methodical progression, which allows for a thorough investigation of the characters' psychological states and the societal pressures they endure.