How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Forbear, Sir, said I: While I've a Father and Mother, I am not my own Mistress, poor as they are: And I'll see myself quite at Liberty before I shall think myself fit to make a Choice. (46.9)
Pamela writes this sentence to Mr. Williams, who is all gung-ho to marry her. She's not stoked about the plan, but the more important point, in her universe, is that she can't make any decisions about it, since it's really her parents' job to choose her husband. (Mom, if you're reading this: no. You still can't arrange our marriage.)
Quote #2
Just now the horrid Creature tells me, as a Secret, that she has reason to think he has found a Way to satisfy my Scruples: It is, by marrying me to this dreadful Colbrand, and buying me of him on the Wedding-day, for a Sum of Money! . . . She says that it will be my Duty to obey my Husband . . . and that when my Master has paid for me, and I am surrender'd up, the Swiss is to go home again, with the Money, to his former Wife and Children . . . (56.4)
Pamela refers here to a conversation with Mrs. Jewkes, who has suggested that Mr. B is going to try to satisfy Pamela's "scruples" by making sure she's married to someone on his payroll. According to the logic, Pamela would then be obligated to do what her husband says … so, if her husband says, "Sleep with Mr. B," she'd have to suck it up and do it. (Super fun Brain Snack: traditionally, in the Church of England marriage service, the groom promise to "love, cherish, and worship," while the bride promises to "love, cherish, and obey." Nice double standard, there.)
Quote #3
Sir, said Mr. Peters, very kindly, 'tis a very solemn Circumstance, and I love to see it so reverently and awfully enter'd upon. It is a most excellent Sign; for the most thoughtful Beginnings make the most prudent Proceedings. (85.16)
Pamela has got some major cold feet before her marriage to Mr. B—and believe it or not, not because he spent the first half of the book trying to sexually assault her. Instead, she just takes marriage so seriously that she has trouble wrapping her head around the step. It makes sense: if you've spent most of the book defending your virginity, it's got to be a little nerve-wracking to know that your wedding night is on its way.
Quote #4
For we Husbands, hereabout, said he, are resolv'd to turn over a new Leaf with our Wives, and your Lord and Master shall shew us the way, I can tell you that. (92.128)
Sir Simon says that local husbands are about to turn over a new leaf based on Pamela and Mr. B's relationship. We're assuming this is meant to be a good thing, since apparently Pamela and Mr. B are a model couple now; we sure hope it doesn't mean sexually and physically terrifying their wives into a sort of Stockholm-syndrome obedience.
Quote #5
But they were the Beauties of her Mind, that made me her Husband; and proud, my sweet Dear, said he, pressing my Hand, am I of that Title. (92.138)
Uh-uh. Mr. B totally loves Pamela for the beauties of her mind, not of her … well, you fill in the blank. Either way, we're pretty sure Richardson is actually trying to be all progressive here by insisting that wives need to be intelligent and educated in addition to pretty and fertile, but it's going to be a looooooong time before that becomes the dominant attitude. Like, hundreds of years long.
Quote #6
And Lady Jones was pleased to say, The Company and Behaviour of you two happy Ones to each other, are the most edifying I ever knew. I am always improv'd when I see you. (92.164)
Man, we just love hanging out with our edifying friends. Who cares about finding funny, interesting, or clever people to spend time with; we just want our friends to teach us how to be a better married couples. It makes those dinner parties so much more fun.
Quote #7
And then, next, after we have, perhaps, half broken their Hearts, a Wife is look'd out for: Convenience, or Birth and Fortune, are the first Motives, Affection the last (if it is at all consulted); And two People thus educated, thus trained up in a Course of unnatural Ingratitude, and who have been headstrong Torments to every one who has had a Share in their Education, as well as to those to whom they owe their Being, are brought together; and what can be expected, but that they should pursue, and carry on, the same comfortable Conduct, in Matrimony, and join most heartily to plague one another? (93.174)
This is Mr. B explaining the typical attitudes and conditions that frame marriage among the wealthy. As he explains, when you raise bratty, entitled children, it's hard for them to get along with others who have been raised that way. Solution? Marry a humble, grateful servant! Problem solved.
Quote #8
Why, my dear Friend, said my Master, I must tell you, That her Person made me her Lover; but her Mind made her my Wife. (99.13)
Here again, Mr. B asserts that he cares less about his wife's hotness than her braininess—how modern of him. (And, given that he spent the first part of the novel trying to get up her skirt, not 100% convincing.)
Quote #9
She made her beloved Spouse happy in a numerous and hopeful Progeny. And he made her the best and fondest of Husbands, and, after her Example, became remarkable for Piety, Virtue, and all the Social Duties of a Man and a Christian. (104.5)
In the end, we find out that Mr. B's marriage with Pamela ends up improving him, just as Mr. B had hoped. So, don't despair, all you bored and dissolute aristocrats: all you need to do is find a virtuous servant girl to harass into marrying you, and you, too, can become a good Christian.
Quote #10
The poor little Miss Goodwin was, after a while, given up to her Wishes and Importunities, in order to be form'd by her Example; and, in Process of Time, was joined in Marriage with a Gentleman of Merit and Fortune, to whom she made an excellent wife. (104.8)
In an epilogue, Richardson catches us up with the fate of his illegitimate child, Miss Goodwin. The way we know she turned out okay is that she married a man of "merit" and "fortune" and made an excellent wife. What more could a gal want?