How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
I see my good Mother's Care in your Learning has not been thrown away upon you. My Mother used to say, you lov'd reading; you may look into any of her Books to improve yourself, so you take care of them. (4.4)
This reference to how books can help with self-improvement makes us think that Richardson is nudging us to use this book for self-betterment. Hear that, Shmoopers? Don't shelve Pamela under fiction; it belongs with the self-help books.
Quote #2
He by Force kissed my Neck and Lips; and said, Who ever blamed Lucretia, but the Ravisher only? and I am content to take all the Blame upon me; as I have already borne too great a Share for what I have deserv'd. May I, said I, Lucretia like, justify myself with my Death, if I am used barbarously? O my good Girl! said he, tauntingly, you are well read, I see; and we shall make out between us, before we have done, a pretty Story in Romance, I warrant ye! (18.12)
Brain Snack: Mr. B is referring to a Roman story about Lucretia, a woman who's raped by a prince, commits suicide, and thus precipitates a revolution. This is not a story you'd expect a servant girl to know, and it seems to turn Mr. B on. (Which, gross.) But check out how he seems to be picturing himself (and her) as characters in a story: no wonder he doesn't think about the consequences.
Quote #3
After such Offers, and such Threatenings, and his comparing himself to a wicked Ravisher, in the very Time of his last Offer; and making a Jest of me, that we should make a pretty Story in Romances; can I stay and be safe? (21.5)
Obviously, Pamela is not into Mr. B's assaults. But check out the way she talks about it: what seems to bother her most is that Mr. B dehumanizes their situation by making it into a story. That freaks her out just as much as the "offers" and "threatenings." Words have power, Shmoopers!
Quote #4
Well, Sir, said I, that is your Comment; but it does not appear so in the Text. (70.13)
Here, Pamela is schooling Mr. B on his reading comprehension. He's just read Pamela's correspondence with Mr. Williams and come away with the puzzling interpretation that they're love letters (even though Pamela never reciprocated Mr. Williams's feelings or intentions with respect to marriage). Like a frustrated professor, Pamela refers him back to the text.
Quote #5
He was very serious at my Reflections, on what God enabled me to escape. And when he came to my Reasonings, about throwing myself into the Water, he said, Walk gentle before; and seem'd so mov'd, that he turn'd away his Face from me; and I bless'd this good Sign, and began not so much to repent at his seeing this mournful Part of my Story. (71.18)
Check out this key moment in Mr. B's transition from zero to hero: Pamela didn't want to show him her stories at first, but now she realizes that her story is really bumming him out, in a good way. He's doing what all good readers do and empathizing with her struggles.
Quote #6
And then, Sir, you know, I love Reading, and Scribbling; and tho' all the latter will be employ'd in the Family Accounts, between the Servants and me, and me and your good Self; yet Reading is a Pleasure to me, that I shall be unwilling to give up, at proper times, for the best Company in the World, except yours. And, O Sir! That will help to polish my Mind, and make me worthier of your Company and conversation . . . (75.26)
If Pamela were reading this Buzzfeed list, she'd be hitting "share" so fast she might strain her clicking finger. Here, she asserts her preference for reading over hanging out with basically anyone--except Mr. B, of course.
Quote #7
But, said he, I must observe as I have an hundred times, with Admiration, what a prodigious Memory, and easy and happy Manner of Narration, this excellent Girl has! And tho' she is full of her pretty Tricks and Artifices, to escape the Snares I had laid for her, yet all is innocent, lovely, and uniformly beautiful. (78.3)
How's that for some sweet talk? Here, Mr. B tells his future father-in-law that what he really loves about Pamela is that the girl tells a good story. What do you make of that?
Quote #8
I injoin you, Pamela, to continue your Relation, as you have Opportunity; and tho' your Father be here, write to your Mother, that this wondrous Story be perfect, and we, your Friends, may read and admire you more and more. Ay, pray, pray do, my dear Child, said my Father. And this is the Reason that I write on, my dear Mother, when I thought not to do it, because my Father could tell you all that passed while he was here. (78.6)
As Lady Holliday says in The Great Muppet Caper, "It's plot exposition; it has to go somewhere." Here, Richardson finds an ingenious way to explain why Pamela continues her narration even though one of the parents to whom she is ostensibly writing—her dad—is there to witness everything she's describing: both her dad and Mr. B want her to write it down so, later on, they can read it and pat themselves on the back for (1) raising such an awesome kid and (2) marrying such an awesome girl. Some might call Mr. B's interest in her thoughts sweet. Then again, others might call it symptomatic of pathological jealousy and surveillance.
Quote #9
But when I can find, by your Writings, that your Virtue is but suitably rewarded, it will be not only a good Excuse for me, but for him, and make me love you. (94.7)
This is Lady Davers speaking to Pamela. Naturally, since everyone in the free world seems to have seen Pamela's letters, Lady Davers wants in on the action. She claims she needs to see the full gory details of how badly Pamela was treated before she'll consent to love her. Because that's normal.
Quote #10
These agreeable Reflections, on this melancholy, but instructive, Story, brought us in View of his own House; and we alighted, and took a Walk in the Garden till Dinner was ready. (100.45)
With these words, Pamela caps off her description of Mr. B's admissions regarding Sally Godfrey, who took a, shall we say, non-Pamelae-sque approach to dealing with Mr. B's approaches and ended up with a baby but no ring. Once again, by linking storytelling and instruction, Richardson hints that this cautionary tale was for our benefit as well.