Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Richardson’s Motives
While reading the first part of Pamela I can’t stop wondering about Richardson’s motives. I firmly believe that every aspect of the story as well as Pamela’s character all seek to point out what is moral and what is not. For example Mrs. Jewkes behavior in the carriage where she attempts to kiss Pamela is Richardson’s opportunity to say homosexuality is wrong. Most recognizably Mr. B. character is as an example of immorality. Mr. B serves as the character that can not withstand his desires making him evil, which is a warning to the public. Additionally, all the discussion and controversy about Pamela’s character is done purposefully by Richardson to depict that one may internally struggle, yet that she ultimately upholds her values is what is most important and makes her virtuous. In addition to this, because the low class was known to be lacking morals, by creating the virtuous character in a servant was a way for these lessons to reach every class. Had the heroine been someone of the higher class the book wouldn’t necessarily apply to the lower class as now it does, for the higher class is expected to contain all the positive values of the lower class and then some. Pamela ultimately is Richardson’s covert identity to express his views on morality to the masses.
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4 comments:
I agree that Richardson had his own agenda. While Pamela is a somewhat convincing character, her speech, behavior, etc. are a reflection of the author's beliefs. I can't help but wince at Pamela's grateful response to his "Condescension". I'm still aware that this is a man writing as a young woman and know that Richardson revised in response to criticism.
I think the alternate title alone gives you an idea of Richardson's motives, "Virtue Rewarded" isn't exactly subtle. However, I think your assertion that the lower class were supposed to be looser in morals is debatable. I would think that the lower class were expected to be submissive to rules and folly of government while the rich would live above the standard. This explains the reactions of the servants to Mr.B's outrageous behavior, they cower and make excuses for him. Because he is from the upper class Mr. B is not held to the same moral standards as Pamela.
I do like your comparison of Pamela as the embodiment of virtue and Mr. B as the personification of imorality. But what then is Richardson trying to say by marrying them? Is his message ultimately that you should live your life with a mix of virtue and misdeed?
I believe that the marriage only comes about once Mr B. has reformed his ways and feels bad about his actions. Richardson is depicting how even immoral beings can change and still receive good and notice how Richardson makes a point to mention how Mr. B (with the help of Pamela) becomes a better Christian.
That was indeed true. I think Richardson had many motives when he wrote this book. I think he wasnted us to see what the society was like back then adn what many people went through to get to where they need such as pamela and the other servants who were mistreated in those days, by the rich masters. Teh rich who didnt know their place and mistreated the servants because they felt they had the power to do so.
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