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The Role Of Sexuality In Samuel Richardson's Pamela Or Virtue Rewarded

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Sexuality and Morality in Samuel Richardson's novel
Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded

Samuel Richardson is a 18th century writer, famous for his three novels: Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded, Clarissa, or The History of a Young Lady and The History of Sir Charles Grandison. For the most of his life Richardson was an established printer and publisher. He wrote his first novel Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded thanks to a fortuitous turn of events, at the age of 51. Soon after that he became famous and admired writer. Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded is an “epistolary” novel – it takes the form of a collection of letters written by the characters, not in calm remembrance after the events, but to the moment, while the narrative is unfolding. In that way the …show more content…

In addition, the second half of the novel deals with the explanation and eulogy of her positive qualities of goodness and charity. These are actually the qualities that Mr. B. appreciates the most, and that brought him to propose marriage to a woman of a lower class. While reading Pamela's diary (letters), he has discovered her benevolence toward him, and as a result, Pamela's kindness deserve the “reward” of a happy marriage.

One of the main themes of 18th century was the unequal sexual rights: apart from her husband a wife had no legal existence. The decision of the author to have the protagonist fall in love and marry to her seducer, to whom she become hostage and almost a victim of rape, had annoyed many sympathizers of women’s rights. But there is no doubt, that Rochester is familiar with women's feelings and spirit, and this makes him unrivalled feminist writer. One of his main aims was to create a model for young generation for both sexes – to teach them to be patient, dedicated and morally restrained in order to illuminate certain behavioural reactions. By emphasizing topics such as religion, virtue and morality, he expected the young readers to keep those values alive. In the novel he gives voice to a beautiful and intelligent young woman, but the features that he heavily underlines are Pamela's innocence and

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