As we finished our discussion on Henry Fielding's Shamela, one of the most important themes we talked about was the author's "moralizing" through their characters. In Richardson's Pamela, the idea of "virtue" takes on much more than Pamela's sexuality; it represents an innocence and naivety that Pamela looks to preserve. In Shamela, we see Richardson's "moralizing" criticized through the explicit sexuality of the characters like Squire Booby and Shamela. Although we know that Fielding is criticizing these moral lessons, what exactly is he criticizing about them? For example, what is he actually saying about female virtue and sexuality? Do you think that he is mocking these virtuous attributes as insignificant moral factors? Does Fielding offer any of his own moral lessons through Shamela about "virtue" specifically?
Further, in paragraph [92] we see one of the many sexual scenes between Shamela and Squire Booby. In class, we talked about how Shamela "deals" with his advances here, and decided on sexual pleasure as her preventative action (she is being held down and has one arm free). What does a scene like this say about Fielding's view on the real Pamela? Is he insinuating that, in fact, she played along with his sexual desires? What does this tell us about her "virtuous" character? It seems that Fielding is exposing her here as a "slut" who has almost no virtuous aspects at all. Is he trying to argue here that "virtue" can be performed or faked? Is there a distinction between performing virtue and intrinsically being virtuous?
Before you answer these questions, define "virtue" in your own terms. Do you think it simply means protecting virginity, or is it a whole persona of actions?
Virtue can be performed, but I think if the person's inner feelings is the complete opposite then it's not really Virtue. It's Deceit. I know the definition that dictionary.com gives us, but for thinking about Pamela and Shamela, I think Virtue can be "measured" by how much their action and their feelings coincide. Honesty. Honesty is a virtue... right? Shamela definitely isn't honest. So for me, someone who is honest has Virtue. Sham is a cover of what you really are so that you seem like something else. That can't be seen as virtuous... but it does make me wonder if shams are always bad? So this raises a question for me, "is acting virtuous bad?" it may not be virtuous but can one attain some virtue by acting virtous...? I don't know if that makes sense... but to answer this post's question, I don't think protecting virginity makes one virtuous. I think Virtue encompasses a lot of things; a state of mind and heart and the actions that are produced from those things. But this is a very thought provoking post... thank you.
ReplyDeleteVirtue is a positive quality when one has good morals. I feel that virtue can be fake and performed, but then it is not sincere. One can act virtuous, but as Christina said, they would be considered deceitful. I feel that Pamela is not virtuous. Although she denies squire B due to her loyalty to keeping her virtue, I feel this is an act. I feel Pamela fakes it in order to stay in a good light because she does lead Squire B on. If she were that virtuous she would stay as far away from Squire B as possible. Pamela unknowingly or purposely is encouraging his behavior through her actions. I feel that Fielding has a similar view as I do and that he is portraying Pamela as being deceitful, not necessarily a slut. I feel in order to be considered a slut, you have to be out right sexually aggressive and Pamela is not like that - she's more undercover about it.
ReplyDeleteVirtue is staying true to one's beliefs. I do not feel like it can be performed, because if it is, than it was not ever actually true virtue to begin with. To Pamela virtue is keeping her virginity until marriage and this is a task she is able to hold on to. She is tempted, but does not waver and her virtue remains. Arguably she may lead Mr. B on at some points, but she does not ever lose what virtue is to her.
ReplyDeleteI think that virtue is leading a good life that, like MG said, remaining true to your beliefs and convictions and not compromising your convictions.I think fielding is certainly insinuating that Pamela was receptive toward the actions of B. I do not think Pamela is virtuous only because she keeps her virginity until marriage. I do think she is manipulating B....and vice versa.
ReplyDeleteI agree with MG and Megan that virtue is not just "protecting" one's virginity but having your own morals and staying true to them despite other temptations. I don't think that the scene in Shamela in paragraph 92 is a comment on Pamela's virtue but rather Fielding making fun of how Pamela words her letters-- like things are happening in the present tense. Also, I don't think that Fielding is trying to make readers think that Pamela was a slut, but maybe that she did like the advances of Squire B and didn't take herself out of his way on purpose.
ReplyDeleteI think that virtue is so much more that just protecting ones virginity. I think that the idea of virtue really reflects ones character and their views and morales on many issues that are present in society. I don't think that Pamela is necessarily considered virtuous because although she does originally deny Squire B of having sex with her she still continues to linger in his presence as she too enjoyed the attention she received from him. Same goes for Shamela. I don't think she is virtuous in any way either because she is only pretending to be someone on the outside but her real morals are completely different on the inside. For example, in letter VII (47) she smiles at the fact that her Master called Pamela a slut and found her ugly. Overall I think the idea of being virtuous comes from having purity in ones conciousness and showing that through ones actions.
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