Pamela Literature and Writing Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

But, said he, I must observe as I have an hundred times, with Admiration, what a prodigious Memory, and easy and happy Manner of Narration, this excellent Girl has! And tho' she is full of her pretty Tricks and Artifices, to escape the Snares I had laid for her, yet all is innocent, lovely, and uniformly beautiful. (78.3)

How's that for some sweet talk? Here, Mr. B tells his future father-in-law that what he really loves about Pamela is that the girl tells a good story. What do you make of that?

Quote #8

I injoin you, Pamela, to continue your Relation, as you have Opportunity; and tho' your Father be here, write to your Mother, that this wondrous Story be perfect, and we, your Friends, may read and admire you more and more. Ay, pray, pray do, my dear Child, said my Father. And this is the Reason that I write on, my dear Mother, when I thought not to do it, because my Father could tell you all that passed while he was here. (78.6)

As Lady Holliday says in The Great Muppet Caper, "It's plot exposition; it has to go somewhere." Here, Richardson finds an ingenious way to explain why Pamela continues her narration even though one of the parents to whom she is ostensibly writing—her dad—is there to witness everything she's describing: both her dad and Mr. B want her to write it down so, later on, they can read it and pat themselves on the back for (1) raising such an awesome kid and (2) marrying such an awesome girl. Some might call Mr. B's interest in her thoughts sweet. Then again, others might call it symptomatic of pathological jealousy and surveillance.

Quote #9

But when I can find, by your Writings, that your Virtue is but suitably rewarded, it will be not only a good Excuse for me, but for him, and make me love you. (94.7)

This is Lady Davers speaking to Pamela. Naturally, since everyone in the free world seems to have seen Pamela's letters, Lady Davers wants in on the action. She claims she needs to see the full gory details of how badly Pamela was treated before she'll consent to love her. Because that's normal.