Pamela and Literary History

What is there to be found at the ‘origin’ of ‘the’ ‘English’ ‘novel?’

Samuel Richardson as gentleman: portrait by Joseph Highmore

Richardson conversation piece by Highmore: Mrs. Richardson & 4 daughters, Samuel Richardson, Miss Midwinter

Preface QU: Are you convinced by this texts claim to “give practical examples, worthy to be followed in the most critical and affecting cases, by the modest virgin, the chaste bride, and the obliging wife?”

Is Pamela a Christian text? How would you elaborate such a reading?

How do Pamela and B, in their protracted conversation in the garden at the Lincolnshire estate, come to the point where they can overcome her suspicion and his jealousy and say ‘yes’ to each other? What is the inner business that each character must do? Is this moment utopian or dystopian? A moment of release or submission? (209-219)

Is it true that this story is told “without raising a single idea throughout the whole that shall shock the exactest purity?” (Preface) Is Pamela a pornographic text? [GO to Highmore illustrations]

How does Pamela’s fear of the dangerous bull, and then two bulls, at Lincolnshire reflect upon the reliability of her narrative?

How is love articulated with human equality in Pamela? What is the political meaning of Pamela?

What is the effect of Jewkes’ off-color carnal perspective upon Pamela’s ‘trial’ in Lincolnshire?

How does the Masquerade scene (55-57), where Pamela is introduced to B by Mrs. Jervis as a country lass, become an epitome of the novel? Is B fair in reading her new clothes as a ruse to incite desire?

What is the effect of the repetitions (indexes of already read journals; oral recitals of Pamela’s trials) upon the meaning of the novel? What is the effect of the way this novel anthologizes itself?

In Pamela, how does the narrative position the reader in relation to the temporality of the action? Is it writing to the moment, or something else?

Questions on Pamela

Mr. B at the summer house; Mr. B interrupt Pamela while writing

The first attack at Bedfordshire; Mrs. Jewkes, Pamela & Mr. Williams

Pamela undresses for bed, while the heavy-breathing Mr. B/ Nan watches