How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
And must it not be look'd upon as a sort of Warrant for such Actions, if I stay after this? for I think, when one of our Sex finds she is attempted, it is an Encouragement to a Person to proceed, if one puts one's self in the Way of it, when one can help it; and it shews one can forgive what in short ought not to be forgiven. Which is no small Countenance to foul Actions, I'll assure you. (21.5)
Ugh. We're so not into the "She asked for it" argument Pamela uses here—the same one sexual predators (and their defenders) use today. She argues that women can be responsible for male sexual misconduct if they don't manage to get themselves away from the predators—but notice that she doesn't get herself out of Mr. B's house.
Quote #2
He may condescend, may-hap, to think I may be good enough for his Harlot; and those Things don't disgrace Men, that ruin poor Women, as the World goes. (22.5)
Again, Pamela is plugging into some massive double-standards. In this instance, she notes that the same rules don't apply to men and women. Wow, it's a good thing that we don't have double standards anymore! (Wait, we don't—right?)
Quote #3
She has a hoarse man-like Voice, and is as thick as she's long; and yet looks so deadly strong, that I am afraid she would dash me at her Foot in an Instant, if I was to vex her. (38.6)
Okay, let's see if we've got this straight: if you're traditionally feminine, you're virtuous. If you've got a man-like voice and a big pair of guns, you're corrupt and evil. Got it. Mental note to avoid Mrs. Jewkes.
Quote #4
Thinks I, I have often heard Women blam'd for their Tongues; I wish mine had been shorter. But I can't go in, said I, indeed I can't! (41.12)
Here, Pamela lectures herself for giving into the less desirable "feminine" quality of having a sharp tongue. Don't you hate women who nag? Yep, you and the eighteenth century.
Quote #5
. . . Why, what is all this, my Dear, but that the 'Squire our Neighbour has a mind to his Mother's Waiting-maid? And if he takes care she wants for nothing, I don't see any great Injury will be done her. He hurts no Family by this. (42.7)
This is basically Sir Simon Darnford's 18th century version of "Boys will be boys," offered when Mr. Williams tries to convince the Darnfords to intercede on Pamela's behalf. Good to know some things haven't changed.
Quote #6
For well I know, Sir, that nothing so much excites the Envy of my own Sex, as seeing a Person set above them in Appearance, and in Dress. (75.28)
Pamela doesn't seem to have the highest opinion of her own gender sometimes; she implies here that women are quite petty and hung up on outward appearance and dress. Awesome. We bet she's really popular with girls.
Quote #7
Admirable Pamela, said he, excellent Girl!—Surely thy Sentiments are superior to those of all thy Sex! (75.55)
Mr. B says this when Pamela says she'll be happy to wear modest clothes to meet Mr. B's friends, even though she's about to become all rich and fancy by marrying him. Apparently, most women would insist on wearing the shiny clothes. Women, right?
Quote #8
Said she, You deserve more than I can express; for, to all who know your Story, you are a matchless Person. You are an Ornament to our Sex, and your Virtue, tho' your dear Spouse is so excellent and generous as he is, has met with no more than its due Reward. (92.165)
Just for fun, let's imagine that Lady Jones is calling Mr. B an "ornament" to his sex, rather than Pamela. Doesn't work, does it? Only women can be ornamental—and they set the best example when they're being decorative.
Quote #9
Why, Sir, said I, I cannot help being grieved for the poor Mother of this sweet Babe, to think, if she be living, that she must call her chiefest Delight her Shame; if she be no more, that she much have sad Remorses on her poor Mind, when she came to leave the World, and her little Babe . . . (100.13)
Pamela is thinking here about Sally Godfrey, Mr. B's former girlfriend who got a little too friendly before locking Mr. B down. She's super worried about the spiritual agony Sally Godfrey must have experienced as a result of her relationship with Mr. B, but she doesn't have the same concerns about Mr. B. Typical.
Quote #10
For you must know, that she suffer'd so much in Childbed, that nobody expected her Life; and this, when she was up, made such an Impression upon her, that she dreaded nothing so much as the Thoughts of returning to her former Fault . . . (100.28)
When Pamela finally finds out what happened to Mr. B's former mistress Sally Godfrey, she finds out that Sally almost died in childbirth. (You can practically hear Pamela thinking that it would have served her right.) Still, the takeaway here appears to be that the whole experience scared her straight—she's not about to put herself through that again.