Samuel Richardson
Was born 19 August 1689 died 4 July 1761 was an English writer and printer best known for three epistolary novels. Pamela or virtue Rewarded . Clarissa or the History of a young lady . The history of sir Charles Grandison. He printed almost 500 works in his life this novel first published in 1740 by English writer Samuel Richardson. Considered one of the first true English novels it serves as Richardson version of conduct literature about marriage . Pamela tells the story of a fifteen years old maidservant named Pamela Andrews whose employer. Mr.B a wealthy landowner makes unwanted and inappropriate advances towards her after the death of her mother . Pamela strives to reconcile her strong religions training with her desire for the approval of her employer in a series of latters and later in the novel journal entries all addressed to her improverished parents.
Plot Summary :
Pamela Andrews is a pious virtuous fifteen years old the daughter of unporerished labourers who works for lady Bedfordshire estate. Following lady B's death' her son Mr B inherits the estate and begins to play Pamela Romantic attention first gifting her his mother's fine clothes and then attempting to seduce her Pamela rejects Mr D.S advances multiple times by fleeing and locking herself in her bedroom. In one instance she faints and finds the laces of her stays have been cut.
When Mr B attempts to play her to keep his failed seduction secret she confides in her best friend and housekeeper of the estate Mrs Jervis Later . Mr B hides in Pamela's closet and tries to kiss her when she undresses for bed causing Pamela to consider leaving her position and returning to her parents to preserve her innocence . The Lincolnshire housekeeper Mrs Jewkes is odious and unwomaning devoted to Mr B and keeps Pamela as her bedfellow.
Characters :
- Pamela Andrews
- John and Elizabeth Andrews
- Mr. Williams
- Mr B
- Lady B
- Lady Davers
- Mrs Jervis
- Mrs Jewkes
- Sally Godfrey
- Monsieur Colbrand
- Miss Godwin
Pamela hides a parcel of latters to her parents in the garden but they are seized by Mrs Jewkes who gives them to Mrs B . He sympathies with Pamela on reading her account of their relationship and once again proposes . Pamela still doubtful of his intentions begs him to let her return though vecxed he does so on leaving Pamela is strangely sad and on her way home he sends her an apologetic letter that prompts her to realise she is in fact in love .
