''The Anti-Pamela; or Feign'd Innocence Detected'' is a

1741 Events January–March * January 13 ** Lanesborough, Massachusetts is created as a township. ** Conventicle Act of 1741 is introduced in Denmark-Norway. *February 13 – Sir Robert Walpole, the Prime Minister of Great Britain ...

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 the English writer Samuel Richardson. Considered one of the first true English novels, it serves as Richardson's version of conduct book, condu ...

'' 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 Histo ...

. 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 Ke ...

'' by

Henry Fielding Henry Fielding (22 April 1707 – 8 October 1754) was an English writer and magistrate known for the use of humour and satire in his works. His 1749 comic novel ''The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling'' was a seminal work in the genre. Along wi ...

) 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 edition.

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 Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded

Response to ''Pamela''

Plot

Editions

See also

References

External links