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The Epistolary Literary Form Of Pamela By Samuel Richardson

Decent Essays

Pamela by Samuel Richardson is a famous 18th century novel which arguably popularizes the epistolary literary form. Presenting Pamela Andrews as a young maidservant, she undergoes a series of trials in which she defends her virtue from Mr. B. to later reforming him and getting married. While it does present the narrative of the reformation of a potential rake, the romance between two characters of different social classes and the eventual social climbing to achieve a happy ending, the real interest is in the literary form. The main character writes in letters and, later, in journal entries, recounting the experiences she’s undergone to her parents (and to the reader). The person who reads Pamela is enthralled into a narrative due to the feeling of secrecy. Richardson uses the epistolary form to allow Pamela to …show more content…

The usage of letters and journals permit a sense of direct intimacy with Pamela due to the two literary forms seemingly belonging in the private sphere. The word ‘seemingly’ is emphasized due to the reality going on throughout the novel. Pamela expects her letters and journals to be read by her parents and she believes God can read her thoughts, or, at the very least, the words she puts down. Despite having an intended readership, it is a small and private group of people. Moreover, it is through these two mediums, Pamela can confidently write her thoughts because she believes she knows who her readers are. Due to this confidentiality, it is easy for the reader to feel connected and attached to the main character. For example, in letter 25, she states “for to who but you can I vent my Griefs” (Richardson 60). The ‘you’ invokes the feeling of intimacy. She can only rely on ‘you’ to discuss her inner thoughts,

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