Christopher Booker is a scholar who wrote that every story falls into one of seven basic plot structures: Overcoming the Monster, Rags to Riches, the Quest, Voyage and Return, Comedy, Tragedy, and Rebirth. Shmoop explores which of these structures fits this story like Cinderella’s slipper.
Plot Type : Rags to Riches
Initial wretchedness at home and the 'Call'
Pamela comes from a loving and pious home, but some bad breaks (including her brothers' insolvency) send the family into poverty. To help out, she has taken a position as a waiting-maid with a wealthy family.
Out into the world, initial success
Pamela reports that others find her exceptional in basically every way. She's intelligent, beautiful, and pious, and she has great manners that distinguish her from others in her class. Gee, thanks for telling us how awesome you are, Pamela. Plus, her dead boss taught her to read and do fancy sewing, which makes her even more special.
The central crisis
When Pamela's mistress dies just before the novel begins, her son Mr. B decides to keep Pamela on. Pamela is initially thrilled to be keeping her job, given her family's dire financial straits, but soon realizes it's a mixed bargain when Mr. B starts harassing and attempting to rape her.
Independence and the final ordeal
After several failed attempts to coerce or force Pamela into bed with him, Mr. B pretends that he's going to allow Pamela to return to her parents. Ha! Instead, he sends her to his other estate in Lincolnshire and commands his servants (who, unlike the Bedfordshire ones, aren't already on Pamela's side) to keep her a prisoner there.
He initially promises to stay away until Pamela consents to have him visit, but since she's basically never going to do that, he ends up showing up, sneaking into bed with her, and attempting to rape her. She is so frightened by finding him in her bed that she faints away and remains in a violent fit for some time.
The incident stops Mr. B in his tracks and ultimately inspires him to reform his behavior and attitudes. He then claims to be falling in love with Pamela, but she remains committed to returning to her parents. Upon hearing this, he gets so angry that he releases her immediately. His anger subsides quickly, however, and he then sends her a message while she's en route home, imploring her to return—which is when she decides that she's in love with him, too.
Final union, completion, and fulfillment
Mr. B and Pamela get married in secret in Lincolnshire. His sister, Lady Davers, is initially furious and rejects Pamela's new status as a gentlewoman (and her sister); however, she eventually comes around. Also, Pamela manages to win over all the local gentry, both in Lincolnshire and Bedfordshire. She becomes committed to being a loving "aunt" to Mr. B's love-child, and we get knocked over the head with the message, which is conveniently also the book's subtitle: virtue is rewarded.
Initial wretchedness at home and the 'Call'