Pamela and I are both young women with a penchant for written English living in a man’s world. Obviously, her case is more severe; given her clear-cut role as a servant and woman, it makes it next to impossible for her to speak out about her exploitation. Luckily, in the 21st century, we are making progress and pushing certain boundaries. However, these gender biases and standards are still prevalent today since they are so deeply woven into our culture.
I admire Pamela’s strong set of morals. Resisting Mr.B was a very audacious move. I would like to believe that I would do what Pamela did. Though I would resist, it is hard to say I would be as bold as Pamela when doing so. When Mr.B tries to remind Pamela of her role as a servant--to serve …show more content…
She is portrayed as the epitome of virtue and modesty, yet there is textual evidence that shows where she breaks from that archetype. Though she insists that she is not vain, Pamela frequently mentions that everyone loves her and thinks she is so beautiful. While it could be entirely innocent, she brings up her appeal to others quite often, even when it is irrelevant to the current events. For example, as she finishes talking about how highly Mr. Jonathan speaks of her, she moves on to writing of another person’s praises of her: “And now I will give you an instance how much I am in Mr. Longman’s esteem also” (pg. 61). Pamela herself said that when a woman is tempted, it is “encouragement to the tempter to proceed if one puts one’s self in the way of it when one can help it” (pg.34). However, she makes mediocre excuses to stay in that house, like saying she has to finish making a coat for Mr.B before she leaves. This shows an inconsistency between her actions and words because if Mr.B is such a horrible “devil incarnate,” (pg.30) why did she continue to stay? He did not force her to. Then finally, she ends up admitting that she had feelings for Mr.B the entire time, despite her constant declarations of virtue. She consciously desired the same thing that she adamantly stated was a threat to her.This serves to show that even the most pious of us can be seduced or …show more content…
Before Mr.B has this sudden change of heart, descriptions of him vary from having a “black heart” (pg.28), being a “devil incarnate,” (pg.30) and a “black, perfidious creature,” (pg.86) allied with Lucifer himself. This contrasts to the diction used when describing Pamela as an: “angel of light” (pg.30) and “poor innocent lamb” (pg.214). Lambs are seen are the symbol of innocence and purity. Although, biblical allusion is evident too since Christ is often referred to as the lamb. Mr.B’s devilish comparison is highlighted when he disguises himself as the maid sleeping with Pamela. The devil is said to be a shapeshifter, just like how Mr.B transformed into a woman just to compromise Pamela’s innocence. However, Pamela’s virtue and morals remain static, showing that light always triumphs over dark. Both of these motifs-- the devil and the lamb serve to provoke the reader to choose if they would rather be a righteous lamb or likened to
I admire Pamela’s strong set of morals. Resisting Mr.B was a very audacious move. I would like to believe that I would do what Pamela did. Though I would resist, it is hard to say I would be as bold as Pamela when doing so. When Mr.B tries to remind Pamela of her role as a servant--to serve …show more content…
She is portrayed as the epitome of virtue and modesty, yet there is textual evidence that shows where she breaks from that archetype. Though she insists that she is not vain, Pamela frequently mentions that everyone loves her and thinks she is so beautiful. While it could be entirely innocent, she brings up her appeal to others quite often, even when it is irrelevant to the current events. For example, as she finishes talking about how highly Mr. Jonathan speaks of her, she moves on to writing of another person’s praises of her: “And now I will give you an instance how much I am in Mr. Longman’s esteem also” (pg. 61). Pamela herself said that when a woman is tempted, it is “encouragement to the tempter to proceed if one puts one’s self in the way of it when one can help it” (pg.34). However, she makes mediocre excuses to stay in that house, like saying she has to finish making a coat for Mr.B before she leaves. This shows an inconsistency between her actions and words because if Mr.B is such a horrible “devil incarnate,” (pg.30) why did she continue to stay? He did not force her to. Then finally, she ends up admitting that she had feelings for Mr.B the entire time, despite her constant declarations of virtue. She consciously desired the same thing that she adamantly stated was a threat to her.This serves to show that even the most pious of us can be seduced or …show more content…
Before Mr.B has this sudden change of heart, descriptions of him vary from having a “black heart” (pg.28), being a “devil incarnate,” (pg.30) and a “black, perfidious creature,” (pg.86) allied with Lucifer himself. This contrasts to the diction used when describing Pamela as an: “angel of light” (pg.30) and “poor innocent lamb” (pg.214). Lambs are seen are the symbol of innocence and purity. Although, biblical allusion is evident too since Christ is often referred to as the lamb. Mr.B’s devilish comparison is highlighted when he disguises himself as the maid sleeping with Pamela. The devil is said to be a shapeshifter, just like how Mr.B transformed into a woman just to compromise Pamela’s innocence. However, Pamela’s virtue and morals remain static, showing that light always triumphs over dark. Both of these motifs-- the devil and the lamb serve to provoke the reader to choose if they would rather be a righteous lamb or likened to