In Pamela, Samuel Richardson teaches a religious lesson through Pamela's pride in virtue, love through purity, and ultimately forgiveness of others. She presents her character as strictly devoted to God, which often makes her seem vain, manipulative, selfish, and hypocritical. While she may seem to represent these characteristics, the truth is that all that matters to her is her virtue. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Throughout the novel, Pamela portrays a pious pride in her virtue and humility. In the novel she is extremely proud, not of the beauty of her face or body, but of virtue, which she protects in the name of God. For her, the loss of virtue is "worse than cutting one's throat" (104). Richardson shows a lesson through Pamela's pride in virtue, showing the other characters that purity and righteousness will always prevail. Pamela's virtue even opens the blind eyes of the squire when he exclaims, "Her virtue is all her pride, shall I rob her of this?" (211). Although she could be mistaken for vain when she tries on her humble clothes and professes, "I never liked myself so well in my life" (60), Richardson uses this to show how Pamela is happy in her poverty because she is honest. and virtuous. She is proud of the honesty of her humble birth because she sees much vanity in the rich as shown by Lady Davers. After reading the letter regarding Pamela's inequality regarding the squire's birth, Pamela becomes angry at Lady Davers for stooping to "such vain pride" (222). Pamela prays that God will not let the "presumption, vanity, and pride" (279) of wealth consume her. His pride in virtue is an honorable pride because it focuses on God, while the pride he fears is centered on status and wealth. Pamela demonstrates enormous pride in her honesty and virtue, focusing on God's ideals. Pamela's pride in her virtue ultimately earns her the pure love of the squire in opposition to her previous lust. Pamela's protection of her virginity blossoms into virtuous love, her reward from God. Throughout the text, Pamela persistently denies the squire's passions, through harsh words and actions. Her virtue only makes her more attractive to him: “I see you so vigilant about your Virtue. . . my passion for you only increases” (184). He believes that a woman who gives in to evil and loses her virginity is “the vilest of creatures” (174). Pamela perceives his honesty with such importance that she says, “my honesty is dearer to me than my life” (208). After his attacks when he tries to rape her, the squire finally realizes how important virtue is to Pamela. Learn to love and respect her through her virtue. Ultimately, the Squire recognizes Pamela as equal to his nobility of birth because of her virtue: “We will speak henceforth of nothing but Equality; for if you set the riches of your mind and your spotless virtue against my fortune, condescension will be yours” (294). Pamela seems manipulative because she takes advantage of her virtue, increasing her social status. Although the reward for virtue in Pamela is marriage, Richardson shows that Pamela never dreams of this outcome, believing that a “poor servant is very unworthy of this great honor” (209). He continually thanks God for such an honor, seeing it as His reward for all his suffering at the hands of the Squire. Through her virtue, Richardson proves that God rewards Pamela with a very honorable marriage. Pamela, through her trust in God, finds the heart to forgive those who have threatened her most precious possession, her virtue. While.