On page 496 of Samuel Richardson's Pamela, the young woman reflects on her account of the mysteries of God. The Strange circumstances of his story show both characters of Mr. B___: one disgusting, the other noble. His successful resistance through frightening displays of his physical control over her fuels the growing understanding of the role that lack of concern plays in self-preservation. A contextualized reading of the scene from Matthew 6 allows the reader to grasp the ways in which Richardson may have used Scripture to motivate the exposure of the residual anxiety that haunts Pamela in marriage; at the very least, we see that her inability to accept the happiness she has been granted is allegorical, rather than annoying. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Samuel Richardson held religion in high regard, particularly as a motive for writing. He pursued “an easy and natural way” rather than that of the “improbable and wonderful” novels of his time (Dobson). The unrealistic nature of Pamela's love story suggests that the author intended more meaning than directly expressed feelings. Rather, he seems to have intended his natural confusion and reservation regarding Mr. B___'s new status as a gentle partner to emphasize Matthew 6, a chapter that might, to a hesitant reader, appear to be more about birds than personal freedom. Pamela dedicates pages to these trepidations: immediately after her husband has calmed them, she starts again. To the reader, these concerns seem repetitive and pointless. For an eternal God, they must be even more so. The simplicity of Pamela's joy shows that her problems meant less than they did at the time. His letters create a documentation of hardship, and even as he escapes the compulsion to see himself as a victim (outside of well-intentioned verse), they represent the human impulse to cultivate a documentation of wrongs. Richardson shifts the message to that of Matthew 6. In doing so, he supports the reality that humans, like birds, are not created to store or store anything. Here we see that Pamela cannot contain her feelings, so much so that Mr. B____ “would [only] allow [her] to say, that I was not displeased with him! - Sorry for you, dearest Lord! I said: Allow me to thus testify to my Obligations and the strength that all your Commands will have on me” (496). The reflexivity of her excited words extends from the obtusely lyrical sentences that precede her to the moment of truth, and she kisses him, considering it a freedom. Neither can handle the intensity of their love, but she taps into fear almost immediately. . He walks away, writing "but yet my mind was sorrowful at times, and has been until this hour." He receives a gift, but places limits on his emotions. Pamela expresses thoughts centered on Mr. B___'s death, concluding that she "cannot bear to assume: [she] cannot say more on such a profound subject!" It proceeds with the thought that human life is a “poor thing… subject to imaginary evils” and loses sight of what drove it in the first place. This method of thinking is wicked because it quickly leads her astray. In all of this, he believes his concerns are beneath his “superficial mind.” While this may be true, the connection to his God sustains hundreds of pages; during these, she often ignores what matters in a misguided attempt to feel free in her own way. Then, when she is surprised by what happens, she inserts herself as something distinct, accepted within her ownparameters rather than as something to witness. Richardson highlights the qualities of his experience, exploring the series of disruptions and how he deals with the realities, hopes, dreams and fears of an ever-changing life. In passages like this, he inserts phrases that show his mentality; here, he thinks of death as the end of “this extraordinarily generous Benefactor” and buries his feelings in worry. Here, as before, he prays what he wants. This act frees her from the brutal words that underline the experience of her tumultuous life. In doing so, she achieves the sharpness and focus needed to transport her to another time. Pamela maintains an adoring posture as she wards off her cunning Master, who attempts to practice on her. Despite the threat of violent rape, Pamela worships the Lord; his eyes retain the light and he avoids the expression of darkness. She remains pure. Ultimately, he perceives the futility of “Apprehension of Remote Contingencies” because of the joy that truly abounds (Richardson 496). The institution of marriage drives Pamela to rely on Mr. B____ as she begins to free herself from the burden of mistrust. Her life soon becomes peaceful, as Pamela witnesses the support of Mr. B___'s ardent love for her. The discussion of this passage with the sixth chapter of Matthew showcases Pamela's newfound maturity. The anxiety he experiences arises from concerns of instability and seizure. From attempting escape through a window to hiding letters, he continually turns to devices suited to the girl under duress that Richardson so despises. However, he persists with a determined spirit and dedication to his personal best. The reward of his hope is found in Heaven, safe from the theft that endangers the treasure on Earth. The implicit presence of the Bible in Pamela justifies an examination of the implicit parallels between the teachings of Jesus and the beliefs of Pamela, who values the power of language. Furthermore, the textual evidence seems particularly significant in light of Richardson's biblical references throughout the novel, as documented in the footnotes. Pamela's consistent use of the nickname “Master” for Mr. B____ helps the reader understand the nature of Pamela's trials. He cannot prevent Mr. B____'s will even if he isolates himself, yet he manages to escape without scotch; since her life is constantly changing, the prospect of subjecting herself to marital constraints scares her, so much so that she shows it as a desire for reassurance. Mr. B____ occupies a position from which he could be destroyed externally or wounded internally, yet God persists. This means that Mr. B____ never makes Pamela's faith waver, even when she herself feels nothing. His position as a husband shows that Pamela has no reason to run away: she is safe. Before marriage, her salvation depends on the man's actions. Jesus says: “No one can serve two masters, because either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be fond of the one and despise the other.” Pamela overcomes her disgust for Mr. B____ without taking away the significance of God in her life. Her openly Christian marriage consolidates the hierarchy of duties in which Pamela fits. Her dedication to her husband serves as adoration to the Supreme Master, while Mr. B____ cultivates his own religious devotion. The scene in Pamela has strong parallels to the themes of Matthew 6, and further attention only strengthens the basis for a biblical comparison. For one thing, Richardson's contemporaries knew the Book well, more for its literary merits than for its religious status. Another reason is the general meaning of the chapter, which contains the Lord's Prayer. There.
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