Samuel Richardson

A best-seller of its time, "Pamela" tells the story of a fifteen-year-old maidservant named Pamela Andrews, whose employer, Mr. B, a wealthy landowner, makes unwanted and inappropriate advances towards her after the death of his mother. Pamela was an early commentary on domestic violence and brought into question the dynamic line between male aggression and a contemporary view of love. Moreover, Pamela, despite the controversies, was able to shed light on social issues that transcended the novel for the time such as gender roles, early false-imprisonment, and class barriers present in the eighteenth century.

Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded Samuel Richardson - For a fascinating glimpse into eighteenth-century morals and values, take a look at Samuel Richardsons Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded. A blockbuster of a bestseller in its day, Pamela recounts the tribulations of a poor housekeeper who is forced constantly to fend off the prurient advances of her employer. Her reward? Pamela is offeredand acceptsher lustful masters hand in marriage and is thrust into upper-class society.

Clarissa, Or, The History of a Young Lady Samuel Richardson - Pressured by her unscrupulous family to marry a wealthy man she detests, the young Clarissa Harlowe is tricked into fleeing with the witty and debonair Robert Lovelace and places herself under his protection. Lovelace, however, proves himself to be an untrustworthy rake whose vague promises of marriage are accompanied by unwelcome and increasingly brutal sexual advances. And yet, Clarissa finds his charm alluring, her scrupulous sense of virtue tinged with unconfessed desire.Told through a complex series of interweaving letters, "Clarissa" is a richly ambiguous study of a fatally attracted couple and a work of astonishing power and immediacy. A huge success when it first appeared in 1747, and translated into French and German, it remains one of the greatest of all European novels. Its rich ambiguities - our sense of Clarissas scrupulous virtue tinged with intimations of her capacity for self-deception in matters of sex; the wicked and amusing faces of Lovelace, who must be easily the most charming villain in English literature - give the story extraordinary psychological momentum. .

Clarissa: The History of a Young Lady is regency bestseller, the classic of English literature. It tells the tragic story of a young woman, whose quest for virtue is continually thwarted by her family. The Harlowes are a recently wealthy family whose preoccupation with increasing their standing in society leads to obsessive control of their daughter, Clarissa, who runs away from home to find love and happiness. However things start turning south soon.

"Pamela under the Notion of being a Virtuous Modest Girl will be introduced into all Familes,and when she gets there, what Scenes does she represent? Why a fine young Gentleman endeavouring to debauch a beautiful young Girl of Sixteen."Pamela Censured, 1741.One of the most spectacular successes of the burgeoning literary marketplace of eighteeent-century London, Pamela also marked a defining moment in the emergence of the modern novel. In the words of one contemporary, it divided the world ''into two different Parties, Pamelists and Antipamelists'', even eclipsing the sensational factional politics of the day.Preached up for its morality, and denounced as pornography in disguise, it vividly describes a young servant''s long resistance to the attempts of her predatory master to seduce her.Written in the voice of its low-born heroine, but by a printer who fifteen years earlier had narrowly escaped imprisonment for the seditious output of his press, Pamela is not only a work of pioneering psychological complexity, but also a compelling and provocative study of power and its abuse.Based on the original text of 1740, from which Richardson later retreated in a series of defensive revisions, this edition makes available the version of Pamela that aroused such widespread controversy on its first appearance.

Samuel Richardsons monumental work, Clarissa, is a nine-volume epistolary novel that delves deep into the themes of morality, virtue, and the constraints of society on individual freedom. Written in the mid-18th century, Richardsons literary style is characterized by the intimate and emotional exchanges between the characters through letters, providing a profound insight into their thoughts and motivations. Clarissas narrative is a prime example of the sentimental novel, a genre that focuses on the emotional experiences and moral dilemmas of its characters. The novels intricate plot and complex characters have cemented its status as a classic of English literature. Readers will be captivated by the emotional depth and ethical complexity of this masterpiece. Samuel Richardson, a successful printer and novelist, drew inspiration for Clarissa from his own experiences and observations of the social dynamics of his time. His keen insight into human nature and ability to craft compelling narratives make Clarissa a timeless exploration of the human condition. I highly recommend Clarissa to readers seeking a profound and emotionally captivating literary experience.

E-artnow presents to you the anthology of Regency Classics, the Samuel Richardson edition. This volume includes his complete novels, including: Pamela ClarissaSir Charles Grandison "Clarissa: The History of a Young Lady" is regency bestseller, the classic of English literature.It tells the tragic story of a young woman, whose quest for virtue is continually thwarted by her family. The Harlowes are a recently wealthy family whose preoccupation with increasing their standing in society leads to obsessive control of their daughter, Clarissa, who runs away from home to find love and happiness. However things start turning south soon.A best-seller of its time, "Pamela" tells the story of a fifteen-year-old maidservant named Pamela Andrews, whose employer, Mr. B, a wealthy landowner, makes unwanted and inappropriate advances towards her after the death of his mother. Pamela was an early commentary on domestic violence and brought into question the dynamic line between male aggression and a contemporary view of love. Moreover, Pamela, despite the controversies, was able to shed light on social issues that transcended the novel for the time such as gender roles, early false-imprisonment, and class barriers present in the eighteenth century.The novel "Sir Charles Grandison" begins with the character of Harriet Byron leaving the house of her uncle, George Selby, to visit Mr. and Mrs. Reeves, her cousins, in London. She is an orphan who was educated by her grandparents, and, though she lacks parents, she is heir to a fortune of fifteen thousand pounds, which causes many suitors to pursue her. In London, she is pursued by three suitors: Mr. Greville, Mr. Fenwick, and Mr. Orme. This courtship is followed by more suitors: Mr. Fowler, Sir Rowland Meredith, and Sir Hargrave Pollexfen. The final one, Pollexfen, pursues Byron vigorously, which causes her to criticise him over a lack of morals and decency of character. However, Pollexfen does not end his pursuits of Byron until she explains that she could never receive his visits again. Pollexfen, unwilling to be without Byron, decides to kidnap her while she attended a masquerade ball at the Haymarket. Samuel Richardson (1689-1761) was a beloved English writer, extremely popular in the time of Regency. He is best known for his novels: Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded (1740), Clarissa: Or the History of a Young Lady (1748) and The History of Sir Charles Grandison (1753).

In "Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded," Samuel Richardson crafts an epistolary novel that intricately explores themes of virtue, social class, and the condition of women in the 18th century. The narrative unfolds through a series of letters penned by the virtuous young maid, Pamela Andrews, as she navigates the advances of her master, Mr. B, who initially seeks to exploit her but ultimately becomes enamored with her integrity. Richardsons writing style is marked by its meticulous attention to character psychology and moral dilemmas, engaging readers in a moral discourse over virtue and morality that was particularly resonant in the context of emerging middle-class sentiments and shifting gender roles of the Enlightenment period. Samuel Richardson, a prominent figure in the transition from 17th-century literary traditions to the novel as a distinct form, drew on his experiences in the printing trade and as a social observer to create this pioneering work. His understanding of human psychology and societal norms influenced his portrayal of Pamela as a quintessential example of virtue in a corrupt society, effectively reflecting the contemporary debates surrounding class, gender, and the role of women in public and private spheres. "Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded" remains a seminal text for readers and scholars alike, offering a deep dive into the complexities of personal integrity amidst societal pressures. It invites contemporary readers to reflect on the timeless struggles against moral compromise and the intricate dynamics of power in relationships, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in the foundations of the novel and the evolution of feminist thought.

Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded by Samuel Richardson Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded is an epistolary novel first published in 1740 by English writer Samuel Richardson. Considered one of the first true English novels, it serves as Richardsons version of conduct literature about marriage.Pamela tells the story of a fifteen-year-old maidservant named Pamela Andrews, whose employer, Mr. B, a wealthy landowner, makes unwanted and inappropriate advances towards her after the death of his mother. Pamela strives to reconcile her strong religious training with her desire for the approval of her employer in a series of letters and, later in the novel, journal entries all addressed to her impoverished parents. After various unsuccessful attempts at seduction, a series of sexual assaults, and an extended period of kidnapping, the rakish Mr. B eventually reforms and makes Pamela a sincere proposal of marriage. In the novels second part Pamela marries Mr. B and tries to acclimatise to her new position in upper-class society.The full title, Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded, makes plain Richardsons moral purpose. A best-seller of its time, Pamela was widely read but was also criticised for its perceived licentiousness and disregard for class barriers. Furthermore, Pamela was an early commentary on domestic violence and brought into question the dynamic line between male aggression and a contemporary view of love.Moreover, Pamela, despite the controversies, was able to shed light on social issues that transcended the novel for the time such as gender roles, early false-imprisonment, and class barriers present in the eighteenth century. The action of the novel is told through letters and journal entries from Pamela to her parents.Richardson highlights a theme of naivety, illustrated through the eyes of Pamela. Richardson paints Pamela herself as innocent and meek to further contribute to the theme of her being short-sighted to emphasize the ideas of childhood innocence and naivety.

Fifteen-year-old Pamela Andrews, alone and unprotected, is relentlessly pursued by her dead mistress's son. Although she is attracted to young Mr B., she holds out against his demands and threats of abduction and rape, determined to defend her virginity and abide by her own moral standards. Psychologically acute in its investigations of sex, freedom and power, Richardson's first novel caused a sensation when it was first published, with its depiction of a servant heroine who dares to assert herself. Richly comic and full of lively scenes and descriptions, Pamela contains a diverse cast of characters, ranging from the vulgar and malevolent Mrs Jewkes to the aggressive but awkward country squire who serves this unusual love story as both its villain and its hero.

Samuel Richardsons "Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded" emerges as a pioneering work in the epistolary novel genre, portraying the trials of its heroine, Pamela Andrews. Crafted in 1740, the narrative unfolds through a series of letters that reveal Pamelas struggle to preserve her virtue against the advances of her master, Mr. B. The rich psychological depth and moral clarity of RichardsonAos prose reflect the complexities of human desire and virtue, positioned against the backdrop of early 18th-century English societys constraints on class and gender. The novels innovative structure not only engages readers emotionally but also serves as a social commentary, addressing issues of morality, class dynamics, and the pursuit of virtue in a rapidly changing world. Richardson, a master printer turned novelist, was profoundly influenced by his own experiences and the evolving cultural landscape of 18th-century England. His upbringing and deep engagement with the emerging middle-class values informed his portrayal of virtue and morality. As a keen observer of social relations, Richardsons intention was to illuminate the struggle of women for autonomy, making Pamela not merely a tale of seduction and virtue, but a reflection on societal norms governing gender roles. "Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded" is a must-read for anyone interested in the evolution of the novel as a literary form, as well as the interplay between morality and social structure. Richardsons groundbreaking work resonates with contemporary issues of gender, ethics, and personal agency, inviting readers to reflect on the enduring relevance of virtue in our own lives.

A tale of seduction and "Virtue Rewarded", this early epistolary novel tells of the maidservant Pamela, abducted and abusesd by her master before she eventually falls in love with him.Although Pamela was a bestseller and became hugely influential, it caused a scandal on its publication in 1740; not for the plotline of kidnap and attempted rape, but for Richardson''s idea that social and class roles could be overcome by morality and love.

Editor: Sheridan W. Baker, Jr.