Pamela; Or, Virtue Rewarded
Author: Samuel Richardson
Date: Nov 6th, 1740
The girl that sparked it all-full of controversy from the start. The force with which Pamela emerged onto the literary market places Richardson not only as the printer/editor/author but also in the possible role of a marketing genius. He got the public's attention by utilizing his connections in the print trade to illicit its initial praises and reviews.
Main Characters:
Volume I
The novel begins with Pamela Andrews, a young servant girl, writing a troublesome letter to her parents. Her initial employer Lady B. has passed away and she must now continue her services under the direction of her son Mr. B. Her parents are uneasy of the possibilities such a situation might lead to. It is soon settled that if Pamela ever feels an apprehension about Mr. B being a threat to her virtue - she will come back to them immediately. Mr. B is not reserved about his intentions and soon tries to kiss her, an occurrence that Pamela shares with her circumstantial best friend Mrs. Jervis.
Pamela is an avid letter writer, she writes constantly and in great detail. This infuriates Mr. B, as he cannot control what she writes about him, and so he begins intercepting her letters. He takes a more aggressive approach in his physical pursuit of her virtue/virginity by pouncing on her at night- but to no avail. It takes some time, maybe too long, but Pamela eventually resolves to leave.
Mr. B sends her off in a stagecoach she believes is bringing her closer to her parents, unaware of a scheme that delivers her to captivity at the squire’s Lincolnshire estate- her prison for quite some time. There, under the watchful eye of Mrs. Jewkes, Pamela is unable to write letters and so she transitions from letters to a journal. She makes a few unsuccessful attempts to flee, even enlisting the help of Parson Williams- a help he provides at a very high price. The squire is a powerful man and once he learns of Williams’ efforts to assist Pamela, he sends him off to prison for unpaid debts. Once Mr. B arrives at Lincolnshire he presents her with a proposal to be his mistress as being his wife would be socially unacceptable. Pamela declares that her virtue is her most prized possession and it is therefore priceless.
Volume II
Mr. B seemingly gives up and finally grants Pamela permission and the means to return home. Despite his attempts of rape and kidnapping she finds herself upset about her departure. At a rest stop on her journey home, Pamela receives a letter urging her to return to him, an order with which she complies. The two come to a decision of entering an engagement to be married regardless of the disparity in social rank.
Pamela fits seamlessly into the local gentry and is given a welcome reception. Mr. Andrews and Pamela share a long- awaited reunion in which he learns about his daughter’s virtuous behavior and the imminent wedding plans. Nobody seems to be bothered by the class/power dynamics or the circumstances leading up to the marriage except Lady Davers, Mr. B’s sister. She is enraged that her brother would marry a servant and stain the family name. Mr. B grows enraged with his sister and this works to bring the two women together as they try to calm him down.
Nearing the end, with the social issues resolved, the focus shifts to the finances of such a marriage. A cynical view might call this part the “reward” for Pamela’s virtue. Mr. B ensures her parents’ security by providing her father with a position promising substantial earnings. He also makes sure to include Pamela in his will so that his care won’t end with his life. The unlikely pair finds a happy ending in married life. Pamela makes a perfect wife, mothers several children and lives her life in the unwavering adoration from everyone around her.
Date: Nov 6th, 1740
The girl that sparked it all-full of controversy from the start. The force with which Pamela emerged onto the literary market places Richardson not only as the printer/editor/author but also in the possible role of a marketing genius. He got the public's attention by utilizing his connections in the print trade to illicit its initial praises and reviews.
Main Characters:
- Pamela Andrews: A beautiful and most importantly virtuous, fifteen-year-old servant girl. She is left under the employment of a lustful squire once her lady, his mother, dies.
- Mr. B.: A young and very powerful squire, Pamela's master and unrelenting pursuer.
- Lady B.: Mother of Mr. B. Prior to her death she treated Pamela well and took great care to educate her.
- Lady Davers: Sister of Mr. B.
- John Andrews/Elizabeth Andrews: Pamela's parents. Impoverished and away from their daughter, most of her letters are addressed to them.
- Mrs. Jervis: An older woman, she is a pleasant housekeeper at the Mr.B’s Bedfordshire estate. She is a close friend to Pamela.
- Mrs. Jewkes: Hideous and immoral housekeeper at Mr.B’s Lincolnshire estate. She is Pamela’s forceful guard during her stay at Lincolnshire.
- Monsieur Colbrand: Mr. B’s friend. He helps keep Pamela captive.
- Rev. Arthur Williams: A young minister at Lincolnshire. He tries to help Pamela escape.
Volume I
The novel begins with Pamela Andrews, a young servant girl, writing a troublesome letter to her parents. Her initial employer Lady B. has passed away and she must now continue her services under the direction of her son Mr. B. Her parents are uneasy of the possibilities such a situation might lead to. It is soon settled that if Pamela ever feels an apprehension about Mr. B being a threat to her virtue - she will come back to them immediately. Mr. B is not reserved about his intentions and soon tries to kiss her, an occurrence that Pamela shares with her circumstantial best friend Mrs. Jervis.
Pamela is an avid letter writer, she writes constantly and in great detail. This infuriates Mr. B, as he cannot control what she writes about him, and so he begins intercepting her letters. He takes a more aggressive approach in his physical pursuit of her virtue/virginity by pouncing on her at night- but to no avail. It takes some time, maybe too long, but Pamela eventually resolves to leave.
Mr. B sends her off in a stagecoach she believes is bringing her closer to her parents, unaware of a scheme that delivers her to captivity at the squire’s Lincolnshire estate- her prison for quite some time. There, under the watchful eye of Mrs. Jewkes, Pamela is unable to write letters and so she transitions from letters to a journal. She makes a few unsuccessful attempts to flee, even enlisting the help of Parson Williams- a help he provides at a very high price. The squire is a powerful man and once he learns of Williams’ efforts to assist Pamela, he sends him off to prison for unpaid debts. Once Mr. B arrives at Lincolnshire he presents her with a proposal to be his mistress as being his wife would be socially unacceptable. Pamela declares that her virtue is her most prized possession and it is therefore priceless.
Volume II
Mr. B seemingly gives up and finally grants Pamela permission and the means to return home. Despite his attempts of rape and kidnapping she finds herself upset about her departure. At a rest stop on her journey home, Pamela receives a letter urging her to return to him, an order with which she complies. The two come to a decision of entering an engagement to be married regardless of the disparity in social rank.
Pamela fits seamlessly into the local gentry and is given a welcome reception. Mr. Andrews and Pamela share a long- awaited reunion in which he learns about his daughter’s virtuous behavior and the imminent wedding plans. Nobody seems to be bothered by the class/power dynamics or the circumstances leading up to the marriage except Lady Davers, Mr. B’s sister. She is enraged that her brother would marry a servant and stain the family name. Mr. B grows enraged with his sister and this works to bring the two women together as they try to calm him down.
Nearing the end, with the social issues resolved, the focus shifts to the finances of such a marriage. A cynical view might call this part the “reward” for Pamela’s virtue. Mr. B ensures her parents’ security by providing her father with a position promising substantial earnings. He also makes sure to include Pamela in his will so that his care won’t end with his life. The unlikely pair finds a happy ending in married life. Pamela makes a perfect wife, mothers several children and lives her life in the unwavering adoration from everyone around her.