Introduction

Pamela is an epistolary novel (told through letters), written by Samuel Richardson and first published in 1740. It is considered one of the first novels written in English, and significantly contributed to the development of this genre. Richardson, a 51-year-old printer when the novel was published, began the project to provide moral instruction to young women who might find themselves vulnerable to seduction while employed by wealthy men. The novel advocates for the importance of maintaining virtuous and honorable conduct in the face of temptation, and explores themes of class, gender, and inequality. The novel was incredibly popular on publication, leading to the famous parody Shamela (1741) by renowned satirist Henry Fielding. Richardson is also the author of Clarissa: Or the History of a Young Lady, published in 1748.

This guide references the Penguin Classics edition.

Content warning: This novel includes references to attempted rape, sexual harassment, and thoughts of death by suicide.

Plot Summary

Pamela Andrews is a 15-year-old maidservant in Bedfordshire, England. The novel is narrated primarily through the letters she writes to her parents and a journal she keeps. Pamela has been employed by the kind Lady B, an elderly woman who dies at the start of the novel. After the death of Lady B, her son Mr. B takes over the household and shows a keen interest in Pamela. While Pamela at first believes that Mr. B would never pursue a servant, he soon makes sexual advances towards her, which she rejects. Pamela is determined to remain chaste and virtuous, even when Mr. B repeatedly tries to seduce her and offers her money in exchange for becoming his mistress.

One night, Mr. B attacks Pamela; she faints in terror, which saves her from being raped. Pamela is now determined to go home to her parents; however, Mr. B arranges a plan to have Pamela taken to his estate in Lincolnshire without her knowledge or consent. In Lincolnshire, Pamela is isolated and at the mercy of Mrs. Jewkes, the housekeeper, who is cruel and unsympathetic to Pamela. A kindly clergyman named Mr. Williams tries in vain to help Pamela. As Pamela grows increasingly desperate, she tries unsuccessfully to escape, injuring herself in the process.

Mr. B comes to Lincolnshire, and again asks Pamela to become his mistress. She refuses again, so he hatches a plan with Mrs. Jewkes. Mr. B disguises himself as a maidservant and sneaks into Pamela’s bed; when she realizes what is happening, she has a fit, so he leaves her alone. Afterwards, Mr. B’s behavior changes, and he eventually confides to Pamela that he is in love with her. He is hesitant, however, to marry her because he does not like the idea of marriage and is worried about the difference in their respective social positions. Pamela is touched by the idea that Mr. B might genuinely love her, rather than just regard her as a sexual conquest.

Mr. B leaves the estate, and Pamela begins to worry that he might be trying to further deceive her with his talk of marriage. When Mr. B returns, he reads through the many journal entries and writings that Pamela has composed. Moved by what he reads, he apologizes to her for the way he has treated her. Still unsure of whether or not to trust him, Pamela insists on going home to her parents. While she is en route, she receives a letter from Mr. B imploring her to return and to marry him. Pamela decides to trust him and returns willingly to Lincolnshire.

Pamela and Mr. B both know that their impending marriage will be controversial. However, Mr. B’s wealthy and well-born friends are charmed by Pamela’s beauty and kindness. Pamela’s father arrives at the estate, having finally tracked down his missing daughter, and is delighted to see that she is now safe and happy. However, Mr. B’s sister, Lady Davers, is very angry that her brother has married a former servant. Lady Davers forces Mr. B to confess to Pamela that, when he was younger, he had an affair with a young woman named Sally Godfrey, and that they had a child together. Eventually, however, Lady Davers accepts her new sister-in-law.

Pamela and Mr. B return to Bedfordshire, where everyone celebrates their marriage. Pamela’s father is given a new job and a good income, while Pamela is given lavish gifts. Pamela also meets Miss Godwin, Mr. B’s illegitimate daughter with Sally Godfrey, and shows kindness to the young girl. Pamela and Mr. B go on to have a very happy life together, in which Pamela continues to be unfailingly kind and generous to everyone around her.