I believe Shamela has a worst reputation than she deserves. Would she be as ostracized if her story was set in today’s culture? Although I am well aware that she was written as an exaggerated parody of Pamela I do think there is some truth in Shamela. She touches on a topic that is prevalent today and that is Gold Diggers. Think of any female with low self esteem that has no obvious way out of poverty or the inner-city life. Couldn’t we argue that what Shamela and all Gold Diggers do is a matter of survival? Thus making it acceptable. With no or little education and no means to an end, she sells the only thing she posses and that’s herself. This is a common theme in most music videos and many a movies such as Pretty Women. When we see this story in today’s context we say, “O look, how nice, a love story” so why then to be castrate Shamela. In the end, although it might be unconventional, I see her story as a Cinderella story give or take a few details. She gets out of her parent’s house and finds a comfortable life with relative ease, she even seems to enjoy all the games she plays.
1 comment:
Part of me thinks that Fielding would sympathize with your interpretation. I like the character, which tells me that she is not entirely a satire and her author does not think she is totally contemptible. She is smart and a go-getter. Perhaps most important to Fielding, she is not a hypocrite; She understands how to play the game, as you suggest. Booby on the other hand is just a fool: Fielding leaves no room for sympathy for him at all. I think Fielding thinks that most of society's attitudes about sexual morality are based on hypocrisy, prurience, censoriousness, jealousy, or fear of public disapproval, rather than any kind of principal. People are so judgmental because they are fundamentally dishonest.
Post a Comment