Pamela by Samuel Richardson - Book Report/Review Example

In "Pamela", Richardson shows how, in a struggle between rank and virtue, it is virtue which finally wins. Set in England of the eighteenth century, when chastity was considered to be the greatest virtue of a woman, the novel Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded is in the form of letters, which was a popular way of writing novels during the time. The 'heroine' of the story, Pamela Andrews, is a pretty, fifteen year old girl from a very poor family, who is the personal maid of Lady. B. When her mistress dies, Pamela is given some golden guineas and clothes by her son, Mr.B. Pamela's parents caution her to be on her guard against her new master. Mr.B, who is attracted to Pamela, tries many times to take advantage of her, but she resists.

He sends her to his Lincolnshire estate, where she is kept virtually a prisoner, under Mrs. Jewkes. She starts a journal, which is read by Mr.B, who finally allows her to go home to her parents. Pamela realizes that she is in love with Mr.B, when asks her to come back. Mr. B marries the girl, in spite of the disapproval of his relatives Pamela keeps her virtue till the end, and is rewarded .by being accepted by the gentry. Like most of the novels of the time, Pamela, too, tries to "entertain and instruct" the readers.

In this novel, the author tries to instruct the reader about the value of virtue This is evidenced in Pamela's first letter when she writes to her parents informing them about the death of her mistress and the condescension shown to her by her new master, Mr.B .Pamela's father replies to her letter by warning her to be cautious about accepting gifts from Mr.B He tells her that they would be ashamed of her if she lost her virtue In another letter, Pamela tells her parents that she kept the men servants" at a distance," having all her meals with Mrs. Jarvis. Pamela's goodness wins over even such aristocrats as Mr.

B's sister, Lady Davers,. At first, Lady Davers is charmed by Pamela's prudence and modesty, when Pamela repulses a man servant who tries to kiss her. But later, when she knows that her brother wants to marry a commoner like Pamela, she cannot tolerate it. .But Pamela's virtuousness finally overcome Lady Davers' scruples. The author shows the honesty and righteousness of Pamela by making her frank and spirited.. We see this when Mr. B tries to make improper advances to Pamela in the summer house.

He tells her that he would make a gentlewoman of her and kisses her, to her consternation. But Pamela does not succumb to the glamour of rank, and keeps her head. She snubs Mr. B by saying that he was demeaning himself. She says, "I would be glad to say I am honest, though poor." (letter xi) Pamela's honesty and integrity come to her aid whenever she is in trouble. When later, in the house, Mr. B makes a sexual overtures to t her, she runs away to the next room, and locks herself up and faints.

Pamela takes the precaution of sleeping with Mrs. Jarvis at night. When Mr.B confronts her and Mrs. Jarvis with Pamela's behavior, Pamela blurts out what he had done and makes Mr.B feel embarrassed. Again, when the master conceals himself in her bedroom closet, and tries to ravish her in her own bed, Pamela screams and faints, and Mrs. Jervis comes to her rescue. Belonging to the upper class, Mr.B has to maintain a certain distance between himself and his servants. Being infatuated with Pamela, he finds it impossible to stay away from