Pamela

Pamela, Samuel Richardson Summary The story was set in eighteenth century England. Most of the characters in the story reflected contemporary eighteenth century beliefs regarding social structure class. The novel is about Pamela Andrews was a fifteen-year-old servant at an estate in the county of Bedfordshire, England. Pamela became a maid since she was 12 years old. She kept a journal and frequently wote home to her parents, John and Elizabeth Andrews. She reported daily happenings as well as the contents of letters written to her. She had a nobleman master, Mr. B, made unwanted advances towards her after the death of her mistress. Mr. B fell in love to her in which her innocence, beauty, and intelligence. But, Mr. B was an upper class while Pamela was a lower class. Mr. B refused to allow Pamela to breastfeed. By asserting domination over her body, Mr. B was attempting to control her. He locked her up in his estate and tried to seduce and rape her. Pamela rejected him. She continued to write the letters to her parents about her various moral dilemmas and asked for their advice. Her virtue was rewarded when Mr. B proposed a marriage to her. Pamela's repeated refusals to accept Mr. B. In the end of the story, Pamela fell in love and married to Mr. B.

Conflict: social order and gender power. Richardson uses the novel form as vehicle for social protest. Pamela, the central character, she is a revolutionary character. Pamela defies eighteenth century conceptions of workingclass women; she rebels against both social order and patriarchal power. Pamela focuses on the struggle of Pamela to achieve a new social status through her marriage to Mr. B and the economic implications of such a quest and union. Pamela : I know, sir, by woeful experience, that I am in your power: I know all the resistance I can make will be poor and weak, and perhaps stand me in little stead: I dread your will to ruin me is as great as your power: yet, sir, will I dare to tell you, that I will make no freewill offering of my virtue.

Pamela's repeated refusals to accept Mr. B on his terms challenges eighteenth century conceptions of social order and gender power. In eighteenth century England, Pamela's rejection of Mr. B's proposal would have been considered revolutionary. Pamela's repulsion and rejection of Mr. B's proposals cause him to reevaluate his use of power. Mr. B falls in love with Pamela because she rebels against his unscrupulous proposals. Consequently, he acknowledges his unjust treatment of her, and attempts to repent for his actions. Likewise, Pamela's transcendence of social class through her marriage to Mr. B results from her social rebellion. This novel also addresses the class and gender bias that existed in eighteenth century England.