Gender And Class In Samuel Richardson's Epistolary Novel

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Recommended: Changing women's roles during the industrial revolution

Throughout the early years literature has classified women as inferior to men in a sense that they must succumb to their wishes and demands. Women have been victims in novels partially because of how they are portrayed in texts. Not only that but male writers and many authors in general are also the reason women have difficulty representing themselves as individuals. However, Samuel Richardson’s epistolary novel played a major role in changing society’s perspective on gender and class. He ventured outside of this categorization and incorporated new ideas and characters into his novel. Richardson’s love story showcased a protagonist who was more than just a poor servant because he chose to focus on creating a character that was valued for her belief versus her superficiality, gender, and class. He challenged traditions and culture by exemplifying Pamela as a true complete definition of virtue. According to our class lecture, the 18th century was also known as the time of the industrial Revolution. During this era women were taking on men roles by accepting jobs in the work force and supporting their families economically. Despite this, they were still being viewed as inferior to men. Richardson started a movement by writing this risky novel and proved that women were not just used for sexual pleasure. The people and the press debated this novel and were either pro or anti Pamela. Supporters of Pamela were interested in this new fictional world, which was made his book wildly popular in England. In addition, the novel criticized gender roles to the extreme. The characteristics of Pamela were depicted in a way that challenged the role of womanhood but at the same time strengthened it. She not only kept her virtue but als...

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...ng, which is another way of how he is trying to control her mentally since he was not successful physically. She later says, “the very things that I most dreaded is his seeing or knowing the contents of my papers” (309).
Samuel Richardson entertained people with his novel by highlighting important issues such as virtue, morality, gender, class, and religion. He chose a character that is not only blessed with beauty but one that has brains and is innocent, which impressed and inspired individuals. These readers were exposed to a new reality once that consisted of showing how morality and virtue could lead to a positive and good life. The protagonist Pamela was successful in changing the perspective of a nobleman. People eventually put into question gender roles and social roles. In conclusion, Richardson’s novel proved that these barriers could all be broken.

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