Pamelastic Instruction

In introduction of Our Nig, the editor pointed out the novel’s similarity to Pamela in terms of seduction novel. Hence, I decided to look up what kinds of common characteristics are found in the beginning of the two novels.

First of all, in the preface of Pamela, it says that the novel’s purpose is not only to “entertain” but also “instruct” and “improve” young people. In its seduction plot, material and sexual allurement is provided by Mr. B, Pamela’s new master, right after her mother died. As he first approaches to her, he didn’t show his plot to possess her sexually, but with merely mentioning his died mother as an excuse and giving to her a dress, and helping to stay in the house. At this point, the young poor servant girl sees him an angel as if he is giving deliverance. “These good things to us both with such a graciousness, that I thought he looked like an angel.”(Pamela p11) “O this angel of a master! This fine gentleman!”(Pamela p16)

However several days after the day giving her the presents, surprisingly, the gentle master threatens Pamela with sexual approach promising her social elevation. This sudden change in Mr. B not only shocked her but also shocked her readers. And the novel’s fast twist seemed to help readers think about moral values effectively, while watching Pamela who resists very strongly. Even though she was in a desperate situation, she didn’t choose an easy way – she sold herself by giving up her conscience.

Likewise, Our Nig shows that the temptation is too hard to overcome, when it comes, by listening to Mag’s experience, we are taught how difficult it is to notice and practice it. “It seemed like an angel’s alluring her upward and onward. She thought she could ascend to him and become an equal.” (Wilson 5) Though Mag repeatedly violates her moral conscience, it definitely sends a message how hard to resist the temptation to keep social (and self) virtues for keeping herself when she was in hard times. While Pamela, as an epistolary novel, indirectly instruct readers with a voice saying to her parents which includes her strong determination, Our Nig shows a part in which the author directly require readers’ moral decisions directly. “You can philosophize, gentle reader, upon the impropriety of such unions, and preach dozens of sermons on the evils of amalgamation.”(Wilson 9)

Both novels tried to instruct readers with showing the character’s two possible choices which are morally opposed to each other. Living easily with accepting the false love, or living miserable with keeping social and personal norms. However the structure of the novels and the way to tell the story somewhat are different and also the characters’ decision to the trouble were different.

I used Pamela by Richardson, the revised text of 1801

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