Samuel Richardson- Pamela

The rich despises the poor

Analysis

I am going to discuss an extract from the epistolary novel "Pamela" by S. Richardson. Pamela writes as usually to her parents but in this case he reports a letter written by Lady Davers, Mr B's sister.

The extract is arranged into two parts: the first one is lady Davers' letter and the second one consists in some considerations Pamela does in order to explain her parents better her situation.

Lady Daves says that she is very sad to write her brother such a kind of letter but she has to do it because the situation has become embarrassing and many people said her to try to solve the problem. She uses no bad words to describe Pamela but she says that she is not aristocratic and Mr B has to forget her. Their family is powerful, ancient and has to protect its image in front of the country. Lady Davers tries to persuade his brother making him understand that he is going over the top. For aristocratic people was usually to have a lover from a lower social class.

In addition, Lady Davers provides a possible solution: her brother could marry Pamela but she seems not happy if that will happen.

The second part is more interesting because Pamela speaks and from her words the reader can understand her ideas about the situation.

She focuses her parents' attention on the differences between poor and rich people. She immediately says that rich people despise poor people but, referring to the religious code, adds that men are equal in front of God. There are no social differences in front of the Lord. She quotes also the final judgement. The reader can understand that Pamela follows the Puritan code of values.

On a second moment she wants to demonstrate that Lady Daver's behaviour is not correct. She is considered lowly by Pamela.

In the end, once again Pamela underlines the difficult situation of poor people in front of the rich one.

Pamela uses a great number of exclamation marks and appears stronger than before. She seems to know what she really wants. Surely she wants to take advantage from the situation. She is an intelligent woman who does not exclude the possibility to marry his master.