Pamela

“I am going on again with a long letter; for I love writing”

Pamela cheerfully notes her love of writing. While Pamela often lacks control due to her social position and her inability to physically defend herself from Mr. B’s advances, her prolific and enthusiastic narration of her experiences grants her agency. Pamela’s love of writing reflects her sense of self-worth, as she believes that she matters enough to be worthy of documentation; this sense of self-worth leads her to defend her right to choose who has access to her body.

“This girl is always scribbling; I think she may be better employed.”

Despite his initial show of kindness, he becomes aggressive and vengeful as soon as Pamela rejects him after his first attempt to kiss her. Mr. B uses a dismissive term for her writing: “scribbling” suggests Pamela’s letters are trivial and ill-formed, stereotyping her gender and class, neither of which would have given her a formal education. As her employer, Mr. B views Pamela’s writing as a potential loss of profit because it diminishes her productivity; the passage also foreshadows his subsequent paranoia about Pamela using writing as a way to assert herself. 

“Yet, sir, I will be bold to say, I am honest, though poor: And if you were a prince, I would not be otherwise than honest.”

After Mr. B corners her in the summer house and forcefully kisses and fondles her, Pamela draws attention to the social imbalance between her and Mr. B, highlighting the theme of The Inappropriateness of Transgressing Class Boundaries. She uses the word “honest,” which in Richardson’s time had connotations including being worthy of respect, and possessing moral integrity. Pamela intuits that Mr. B might assume that, because of her working-class social position, she would quickly exchange access to her body for profit or gifts. By comparing him to a prince, she makes it clear that no man in the world is rich or powerful enough to sway her to abandon her principles.

“She wished it was in her power to live independent; then she would take a little private house, and I should live with her like a daughter.”

As Pamela’s situation becomes more precarious, Mrs. Jervis wishes they could afford an independent life. Mrs. Jervis is economically bound to Mr. B. Since at this time, women were extremely limited in their ability to make an income or have control of their own money, the word “independence” has a double meaning. It refers to both economic independence (if Pamela and Mrs. Jervis didn’t need money, they could get away from Mr. B), and social independence (if it were more acceptable for women to live without men, they would not be subject to predatory behavior).

“I tell you, she is a subtle, artful little gypsey, and time will shew you that she is.”

As Mrs. Jervis defends Pamela’s virtue, Mr. B angrily disagrees with her assessment. In his indictment, Mr. B captures the key question about how to understand Pamela: Is she truly as innocent as she seems, or is she playing a long game to improve her own position? Mr. B accuses Pamela of being disingenuous, and contemptuously uses terms implying scheming and manipulation. His accusation reflects misogynistic stereotypes of women as manipulative and deceptive, and his use of the term “artful” juxtaposes Pamela’s role as a writer with her claims of being utterly innocent and passive.

“He then, though I struggled against him, kissed me and said, “‘Who ever blamed Lucretia? The shame lay on the ravisher only.’”

As Mr. B becomes increasingly aggressive with Pamela, he taunts her with unapologetic references to rape. Although Mr. B always stops short of raping Pamela, he uses the threat of this act as a kind of psychological warfare. Here, he alludes to the historical figure of Lucretia, an ancient Roman noblewoman who was raped, and committed suicide afterwards. Given that Lucretia was celebrated as a virtuous woman, Mr. B tries to manipulate Pamela by implying that she can claim to have been victimized after they have sex.

“Mrs. Jervis is very desirous that I should finish the waistcoat.”

As Pamela waits to leave the Bedfordshire estate, her position grows increasingly perilous, and yet she repeatedly delays her departure. In earlier editions of the novel, Pamela was the one who insisted on finishing the embroidery; after many readers mocked this detail, Richardson changed the story so that it is Mrs. Jervis who pressures Pamela keep doing her needlework. Either way, the passage highlights the social conditioning Pamela has internalized to focus on meeting the needs of a man rather than protecting one’s self. Embroidery was an art form strongly associated with feminine labor, and thus Pamela is not allowed to leave until she has fulfilled her duties. The quotation also reflects Richardson’s complex use of narrative and characterization, leaving readers to wonder if Pamela is unreliably narrating to hide her desire to stay near Mr. B.

“I beg leave to withdraw; for the sense I have of my own unworthiness, renders me unfit for such a presence.”

As Pamela beseeches the aristocratic ladies who inspect and admire her during a gathering at the Bedfordshire estate, readers get an example of her sarcasm. She seemingly exhibits deference, but actually mocks the characters she is interacting with. Annoyed because the wealthy women have been inspecting her like some sort of zoo animal, and have made rude comments about how alluring she must be to men, Pamela claims to be undeserving to remain in their presence, but clearly just wants to get away from them.

“She has given herself up to the reading of novels and romances […] and now takes it into her head, because her glass tells her she is pretty, that every body who looks upon her is in love with her.”

Mr. B writes to Pamela’s father after he sends her off to Lincolnshire, presenting an alternative narrative of what has happened. Knowing that Pamela has accused him of trying to seduce and rape her, Mr. B reframes the narrative, casting Pamela as an arrogant and deluded girl who exaggerates out of a sense of self-importance. The quotation reveals the challenges of Pamela proving her integrity; Mr. B’s version of what has taken place is much more likely to be believed. The quotation also reveals the reader’s role in judging which characters to believe. Finally, allows Richardson to contrast his novel, which he claims provides moral education, to literature that encourages readers (especially young women) to exaggerate and engage in melodramatic speculation.

“Power and riches never want tools to promote their vilest ends.”

Pamela learns that John the footman has conspired against her by showing her letters to Mr. B all along. Pamela is saddened, but not angry; she recognizes the power dynamics at play and understands that John likely had no choice but to do as Mr. B wanted. Pamela reflects sadly that because Mr. B is wealthy and influential, he can hire, bribe, or blackmail servants into playing along with his sinister plans. Pamela contextualizes Mr. B’s actions within a broader social critique of class injustice. Mr. B’s entitlement is connected back to his class position; he has the power and resources to act on his nefarious intentions.

“He loves you too well […] and thence arise your grievances; so you ought to bear them.”

Mrs. Jewkes feels little sympathy for Pamela because she believes that Pamela is lucky to be attractive and capable of attracting the attention of a powerful man. In Mrs. Jewkes’s highly pragmatic view, Pamela could solve all of her problems at any time by willingly becoming Mr. B’s mistress and getting as much benefit as she could from the situation. While Mrs. Jervis is cruel and violent, her perspective represents an interesting counterpoint to Pamela’s uncompromising idealism.

“As we deceived and hooked the poor carp, so was I betrayed by false baits.”

When Pamela and Mrs. Jewkes go fishing, Pamela catches a carp, but as she watches the fish thrashing on the hook, Pamela can’t help identifying with it. To Pamela, the carp symbolizes captivity and helplessness, and she explicitly compares her situation to that of the fish. Pamela’s “false baits” include all the trickery and deceit that led her to be trapped at the Lincolnshire estate. The quotation reveals that Pamela is becoming savvier; she will be less likely to be deceived in the future. Pamela maintains her innocence in the sense of her virginity, but loses her innocence in the sense of readily trusting other people.

“But as every thing is so frightful to me, and as things have not so black an appearance as they had at first, I will not think of escaping.”

Pamela explains her failed attempt at escape while Mrs. Jewkes is off visiting Mr. Williams. Pamela gives up at having to pass by a frightening bull and at the prospect of running into robbers. She justifies her choice by suggesting that things may not be so bad (at this point, Mr. B has suggested that she marry Mr. Williams). Pamela will later go back on this resolution and try to escape again, but her resignation at this moment shows her uncertainty about what she should do.

“The very first fellow that came in your way, you have practised upon, corrupted too, and thrown your forward self upon him."

Mr. B writes angrily to Pamela, accusing her of being a hypocrite and liar who has been scheming to marry Mr. Williams. He criticizes Pamela for being “forward” (sexually aggressive), and implies that Pamela is more at fault than Mr. Williams because she initiated the relationship. The quotation reveals Mr. B’s jealousy and paranoia; because he has been obsessed with seducing Pamela, he imputes similar intentions to her. Mr. B finds it almost impossible to believe that Pamela is as virtuous as she seems, so he almost gleefully revels in what he perceives as evidence that she is indeed scheming and manipulative. The quotation also reveals Mr. B’s belief that men are often the victim of women’s seductive wiles.

“When they see the dead corpse of the miserable Pamela dragged out to these dewy banks, and lying breathless at their feet, they will find that remorse to soften their obdurate hearts.”

Pamela considers drowning herself and imagines what would happen after her suicide. She uses poetic imagery to suggest a scene of pathos in which antagonists like Mrs. Jewkes and Mr. B are moved to repent for mistreating her. Pamela’s belief that she would be celebrated after her death links her to Christian traditions of martyrdom (including cases where women died to preserve their chastity). Also, as Pamela comes closer to the loss of control over her body (as it seems increasingly likely that Mr. B is going to rape her), and she seeks to reclaim that control by deciding whether she will live or die.

“It will behove you to consider, whether it is not better for you to comply upon terms so advantageous to you, and so beneficial to your father and mother, and other friends, than to be mine without condition or equivalent.”

In the written proposal that he sends to Pamela, Mr. B makes several arguments as to why Pamela should consent to becoming his mistress. In one of his darkest statements, he tells her that he can have sex with her with or without her consent; if she comes to him willingly, she stands to benefit materially, but if she refuses, she’ll end up sexually violated, without any financial compensation. This quotation reveals that even in a seeming negotiation, Pamela lacks any true agency.

“Don’t stand dilly-dallying, sir. She cannot claim worse than she has done; and will be quieter when she knows the worst.”

When Mr. B disguises himself as the maid Nan and climbs into bed with Pamela, Mrs. Jewkes is the most aggressive party in the scene—bizarrely more invested in Mr. B raping Pamela than Mr. B himself is. This allows the novel to position Mr. B as less despicable than Mrs. Jewkes. Mr. B’s hesitation about proceeding with further violence creates a loophole for his future redemption and reformation into a devoted husband. It also hints at the gap between reality and expectations, with Mrs. Jewkes assuming a violent fantasy that Mr. B doesn’t actually share.

“What has the world to do between you and me?”

Mr. B becomes very tender to Pamela after confessing his love for her. Pamela worries about what “the world” will think, but Mr. B is untraditional in his outlook on class and relationships, and unfazed by the possibility of criticism. Because of his privilege, Mr. B can defy conventions, showing how his sense of entitlement could be harnessed to more positive ends than tantrums and violence. When he is trying to seduce Pamela, Mr. B’s defiance of norms in pursuit of his desires is dangerous and threatening; once he resolves to marry her, the same defiance becomes liberating and empowering for the couple.

“I see you on all occasions so watchful for your virtue, that though I hoped to find it otherwise, I cannot but confess, my passion for you is increased by it.”

Mr. B reflects on how his outlook and feelings have changed. He admits that although he was initially frustrated by Pamela’s resistance to his seduction, this resistance gradually earned his respect. As someone who has always been able to have whatever he wants, Mr. B finds a surprising and piquant pleasure in being denied, and having to work to earn Pamela’s regard. Mr. B wants Pamela all the more because he can’t have her; he has also come to see her as more than a sexual object.

“I know not how it came, nor when it began; but it has crept, crept, like a thief, upon me; and before I knew what was the matter, it looked like love”

It finally dawns on Pamela that she has fallen in love with Mr. B. While finally making her way to her parents, Pamela receives his request pleading for her to come back to him. She uses a metaphor comparing love to a thief slyly and quietly slipping into a house; the analogy is telling because it hints at how non-consensual interactions played a role in the relationship.

“how do these great people know […] that one or two hundred years hence, some of those despised upstart families may not revel in their estates”

After reading a letter from Lady Davers rudely imploring her brother not to pollute their family line by marrying a woman from a lower social background, Pamela is annoyed by the snobbery and makes a bold comment predicting increasing social mobility. The comment reflects an attitude shift that Pamela will display in the final section of the novel, after Mr. B confirms his love for her: She will be significantly less intimidated and deferential to members of the upper class. It also slyly hints that Pamela can foresee a future in which she and Mr. B have children—future generations will intermingle his ancient and aristocratic family line with the blood of Pamela’s “upstart” lineage.

“I threw myself on my knees, and blessed that gracious God, who had thus changed my distress to happiness, and so abundantly rewarded me for all the sufferings I had passed through”

As it becomes increasingly clear that Mr. B is going to marry her, Pamela no longer has to be anxious or fearful. The quotation shows Pamela’s piety and also her belief that God has rewarded her for her virtue. Pamela’s praise for God distances her from readers’ accusation of being conniving. Pamela’s celebration of her marriage as the reward for all of her suffering aligns with the Christian belief that earthly suffering will eventually be redeemed by eternal life in Heaven.

“You have suffered yourself to be prevailed upon, and have lost your innocence, and added another to the number of fools he has ruined”

Lady Davers rebukes Pamela after becoming convinced that she has become Mr. B’s mistress, confirming Pamela’s fear that her reputation would have been lost if she had given in to Mr. B. Through Lady Davers’s tirades, Pamela first learns that Mr. B has had other mistresses before. Given that context, Lady Davers’s vitriol is somewhat more understandable.