The Anti-Pamela; or Feign’d Innocence Detected
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''The Anti-Pamela; or Feign'd Innocence Detected'' is a
1741 Events January–March * January 13 – Lanesborough, Massachusetts is created as a township. *February 13 – Sir Robert Walpole, the Prime Minister of Great Britain, popularizes the term "the balance of power" in a speech ...
novel written by
Eliza Haywood Eliza Haywood (c. 1693 – 25 February 1756), born Elizabeth Fowler, was an English writer, actress and publisher. An increase in interest and recognition of Haywood's literary works began in the 1980s. Described as "prolific even by the standar ...
as a satire of the 1740 novel ''
Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded ''Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded'' is an epistolary novel, epistolary novel first published in 1740 by English writer Samuel Richardson. Considered one of the first true English novels, it serves as Richardson's version of Conduct book, conduct li ...
'' by
Samuel Richardson Samuel Richardson (baptised 19 August 1689 – 4 July 1761) was an English writer and printer known for three epistolary novels: ''Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded'' (1740), '' Clarissa: Or the History of a Young Lady'' (1748) and ''The History of ...
. It has also been presented with the subtitle "Mock-Modesty Display'd and Punish'd."


Response to ''Pamela''

''The Anti-Pamela'' is one of several novels (such as ''
Shamela ''An Apology for the Life of Mrs. Shamela Andrews'', or simply ''Shamela'', as it is more commonly known, is a satirical burlesque novella by English writer Henry Fielding. It was first published in April 1741 under the name of ''Mr. Conny Key ...
'' by
Henry Fielding Henry Fielding (22 April 1707 – 8 October 1754) was an English novelist, irony writer, and dramatist known for earthy humour and satire. His comic novel ''Tom Jones'' is still widely appreciated. He and Samuel Richardson are seen as founders ...
) written in response to Richardson's novel ''Pamela'', satirising the innocence of his character Pamela Andrews. The original Pamela is presented as a virtuous working-class woman who reforms a debauched gentleman and wins his love; her virtue is rewarded with marriage. Fiction written in response to this novel typically reframes Pamela's actions to instead present her as a manipulative social climber. Haywood's character generally follows this mold, though she is much less licentious than Fielding's Shamela. Haywood's novel is generally seen as condemning Richardson's Pamela character for using her sexuality for self-interested ends. Some scholars also interpret the novel as condemning the idea of social mobility itself, and supporting the idea that there is a natural ruling elite whose innate moral superiority can never be matched by lower classes.


Plot

Unlike ''Shamela'', which retells the same plot as ''Pamela'', Haywood's novel follows the life of a Pamela-esque character, Syrena Tricksy, in her own storyline. Syrena attempts to use her performance of innocence to become a prosperous noblewoman. She tries several different schemes, presenting herself to different men as a unmarried gentlewoman, a married gentlewoman, a libertine, a mistress, a poor widow, or a rich widow, based on what seems likely to serve her aims. However, these schemes are always foiled at the last minute, either due to coincidence or due to Syrena's carelessness. For example, she is almost successful in marrying a rich old gentleman, until his son visits and reveals that Syrena has pursued both father and son. As the novel progresses, Syrena's desperate attempts at upward social mobility instead result in downward mobility, as she seduces men with less and less wealth.


Editions

''The Anti-Pamela'' was out of print until the publication of a 2004
Broadview Press Broadview Press is an independent academic publisher that focuses on the humanities. Founded in 1985 by Don LePan, the company now employs over 30 people, has over 800 titles in print, and publishes approximately 40 titles each year. Broadview's o ...
edition.


See also

*''
Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded ''Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded'' is an epistolary novel, epistolary novel first published in 1740 by English writer Samuel Richardson. Considered one of the first true English novels, it serves as Richardson's version of Conduct book, conduct li ...
'' – a 1740 novel by
Samuel Richardson Samuel Richardson (baptised 19 August 1689 – 4 July 1761) was an English writer and printer known for three epistolary novels: ''Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded'' (1740), '' Clarissa: Or the History of a Young Lady'' (1748) and ''The History of ...
*''
Shamela ''An Apology for the Life of Mrs. Shamela Andrews'', or simply ''Shamela'', as it is more commonly known, is a satirical burlesque novella by English writer Henry Fielding. It was first published in April 1741 under the name of ''Mr. Conny Key ...
'' – a 1741 novel by
Henry Fielding Henry Fielding (22 April 1707 – 8 October 1754) was an English novelist, irony writer, and dramatist known for earthy humour and satire. His comic novel ''Tom Jones'' is still widely appreciated. He and Samuel Richardson are seen as founders ...
*'' The True Anti-Pamela'' – a 1741 memoir by James Parry, organist of Ross in
Herefordshire Herefordshire () is a county in the West Midlands of England, governed by Herefordshire Council. It is bordered by Shropshire to the north, Worcestershire to the east, Gloucestershire to the south-east, and the Welsh counties of Monmouthsh ...
, of his affair with Mary Powell. Julian Mitchell, 2012, ''The Welsh Boy'', article in theatre programme of the same title relating to production at the Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath,
Somerset ( en, All The People of Somerset) , locator_map = , coordinates = , region = South West England , established_date = Ancient , established_by = , preceded_by = , origin = , lord_lieutenant_office =Lord Lieutenant of Somerset , lord_ ...


References


External links


''The Anti-Pamela'' at Google Books
{{DEFAULTSORT:Anti-Pamela 1741 novels English novels Epistolary novels British satirical novels Novels by Eliza Haywood