The Female Quixote

When I began reading this novel, I really did not know what to think about Arabella. The romance novels are introduced in a way that makes the reader leery of them and the impact that they will have on our protagonist, “he permitted her therefore the Use of his Library, in which, unfortunately for her, were great Store of Romances” (7). With this line the narrator sets the reader up to expect some ‘adventures,’ or yet misadventures. These novels that she finds comfort in, provide Arabella with a false sense of what to expect from life. They also instill a false sense of control. Arabella feels that she can command Mr. Hervey, Mr. Glanville, and Sir George to live when in reality it is out of her control. Another example, that supports this God complex is when the Glanville’s and Arabella are leaving for Bath and there are highwaymen about to rob them. Arabella thinks that they are under the assumption that herself and Miss Glanville are being held against their will and want to lend a helping hand. While this does produce a positive result, the understanding of the situation is completely misconstrued in her mind. This leaves the audience to be under the suggestion that when Arabella mingles in society there will be communication problems.
Considering the limited interaction with society that Arabella has had, it is easy to understand why she connects with her French novels. She has never had a non-fictional female role model to learn from. When she finds herself in complete solitude after her father dies and the Glanville’s leave her at the castle, “she applied herself to reading with more Eagerness than ever” (67).
Any situation that Arabella finds herself in she consults her mental dictionary of romance novels, “there were not any of the Ladies in Romances, in the same Circumstances with herself who was without a favored Lover” (38). If she cannot find an answer from one of the ‘ladies of romance,’ she assumes a confused state and constructs a reason for why her life or current situation does not follow the common plot of the romances.
The romances serve as Arabella’s conduct manuals throughout the novel. At first, I did not know if Lennox was supporting conduct manuals or critiquing them. I thought she could have been supporting them because of the dedication that Arabella puts into learning the actions, reactions, and lessons of the romances. The women having control over the men, the courage and valor on behalf of the men, the overall positive values demonstrated by the characters, etc. I realized that I was wrong in reasoning that Lennox supported the conduct manuals and took into consideration that she is critiquing society by using these extreme examples. The dependence that Arabella shows in regard to the romances is the same ridiculous amount of elevation given to ‘modern’ women of that society towards conduct manuals/ acceptable behavior. For example, Arabella’s lack of independent thinking shines through when Miss Glanville and her are in a dispute regarding Sir George and require Mr. Glanville to give his thoughts, Arabella says, “in this I am justified by all the Heroines of Antiquity” (186). I felt like Lennox was making a statement against the importance contributed to correct behavior at assemblies, gardens, parks, etc. What is most important is that women, well anyone for that matter, act with a respect for everyone else, be willing to help when someone is in distress, to basically show kindness.
The reading materials that women should be exposed to seemed to bare a heavy influence as well. Arabella has a tremendous imagination and everyone that sees her indulgence in romance novels makes negative comments and soon they begin to think she is ‘out of her senses.’ One quote that explains it the best is after Arabella is out riding in the field and comes into contact with Mr. Hervey, who, she supposed was her ‘ravisher,’ the narrator says, “when her Imagination, always prepossessed with the same fantastic Ideas, made her stumble upon another Mistake, equally absurd and ridiculous” (21). This quote suggests that the imagination of a women is something that they cannot control. If women were never subjected to licentious material they would not have the ‘whims’ that are attributed to romance novels. I hold the opinion that Lennnox did not approve of the supposition that women should read only what men (society) tell them to. My main support for this opinion is that while Arabella is fanciful, whimsical, of a romantic mind-set, Lennox had to use her imagination to create Arabella and the adventures she partakes in.

Evelina Volume III

Evelina began the novel as a poor, orphaned, inexperienced girl but ends the novel as surrounded by family and a very wealthy woman. She rose from a low station and aspired to a high one. It almost seems that there is hope offered for the less fortunate.
John Belmont had the best of intentions after all! It was that meddling Dame Green that messed with Evelina’s future. What I found interesting was Evelina’s reaction to this information. She completely accepts her ‘foster sister’ and says, “Poor unfortunate girl! How hard is her fate! She is entitled to my kindest offices, and I shall always consider her as my sister” (311). I suppose the conduct manual includes not only how to present yourself at an assembly but also how to be kind to manipulative, self-serving people.
I have to admit that the background of Mr. Macartney stunned me. At the time he writes his letter he is under the impression that he has courted his sister and killed his father. This just seemed like a situation that Shakespeare would create.
There is a great justice served in this last volume. Mr. Macartney (did NOT see this one coming!) and Evelina both are acknowledged as his children. Willoughby admits that he wrote the fictitious letter and never reappears (he finally got the hint). Lovel after acting like a jerk the entire novel finally finds some respect for Evelina when he overhears the Captain call her Miss Belmont (324). Which this incident reminded me greatly of a tradition the ancient Greeks had. They would show kindness to strangers for fear they were a god or goddess testing their hospitality and feared their wrath. The Captain admits how fond he is of Madame Duval, “she hit my fancy mightily; I never took so much to an old tabby before” (325). He liked her reaction when provoked is my guess but this admittance displays a perverted kind of affection he has towards her.
The Captain’s reemergence near the ending provides a great laugh. It serves as a lesson to Lovel as well. His presumptuous behavior finally caught up with him. It seems to serve a message that just because a person is born into an elite family and has a large sum of money it does not mean that they are automatically programmed to be ‘proper.’ The bringing together of certain supportive characters that Evelina began her journey with, reconfirms how far she has progressed and is only right that they end the journey in her company.
I thought that it was interesting that Madame Duval was too ill to attend the wedding. I thought she would have went to Bristol right away to attend. Especially, since
Bristol was where everyone went for the healing waters. Then, for Monsieur Du Bois to leave her, she is now all alone. Well, I suppose she has the Branghtons for company. I wonder why she would not have gone back to France since this was her goal all along?
Lady Louisa reminded me undoubtedly of Pamela. She kept whining whenever she was in a scene, “fatigued to death” (324) “I shall faint” “take him away, or I shall die!” (332) “I‘m afraid it‘s monstrous hot” (298) there are many, many more times of complaining especially with the term ‘monstrous’ but I think I’ve cited sufficient examples. It was as if her character was suppose to epitomize the weakness of women. Everything seemed to upset her in some way or another. It may be a way of showing her youth or inexperience as well. The letter in which Lady Louisa is introduced at Mrs. Beaumont’s she is complaining incessantly about the drive her and Lord Merton have taken. Because of the dust she is quite under the weather. Then later on, after Lord Merton is badgering Evelina with compliments she becomes jealous and does not talk to him for awhile then treats Evelina very coldly. Also, when the discovery of the poetry in the bathhouse is made Willoughby tells her not to tell Lady Louisa because she was not part of the beauties of the bath. It just seems like people have to tip toe around her and shower her with concentrated attention (Lord Merton, Coverely, and Lovel in particular).

Evelina Volume II

This volume began with the deception of Madame Duval and ended with the deception of Evelina. It seems to be a constant theme throughout this novel.
It bothered me greatly that one of the cousins blamed Evelina for not staying while the men were exerting their power over the ladies. This was around page 162, the Branghton ladies convince Evelina to walk down one of the dark corridors of the garden that they were at without any supervision and is accosted by groups of men. Evelina runs and is surrounded and who should be in this despicable crowd but Willoghby! He walks with her pursuing his interests over hers and says, “But you have flung me into amazement unspeakable, and you will not condescend to listen to my request of giving me some explanation” (165). What does it matter that she is in the alley and why would she owe him an explanation? Evelina should have inquired why he was amongst the men in the alley! This just adds to the distrustfulness of his character. There is a theme throughout this novel of trust and mistrust. For example, Madame Duval vs. Rev Villars, Captain Mirvan, Willoughby, even Du Bois. Evelina notices that Madame Duval has a problem with being unobservant of the characters around her. Then admits to herself after the letter from Lord Orville in a letter to Miss Mirvan the following, “Yet I cannot but lament to find myself in a world so deceitful, where we must suspect what we see, distrust what we hear, and doubt even what we feel!” (216). She appears to blame herself for putting so high esteem in a person that she barely knew but can this be her fault alone? Can it be that it is the person’s fault that took advantage of the good opinion she held of them? Before this can be answered Evelina becomes sick soon after returning to the country and we are left wondering where this sickness has derived from. Is it ambiguous? A great possibility is that the traveling and the climate change is the cause of it. When she leaves with Mrs. Selwyn, Evelina says she does not feel “so much fatigued as I expected” (224). This introduces the possibility that she is love sick over the loss of Lord Orville. Plus, she constantly says she will not write of him anymore and persists in doing so. After a month stay with Madame Duval, I believe I would be sick to my stomach as well. Evelina was constantly referred to as uneducated and a country bumpkin by the Branghton’s. With the proposal that she should marry that pompous young Branghton, then the admission of love from Du Bois and all of her grand-mama’s violent passions, then Willoughby constantly by her side-- my patience would have been spent as well and I would expect health problems.
What effectual role did Mr. Macartney play in this novel? Evelina prevented him from completing an act of suicide. Considering the stool scene, when they are all standing around trying to decide which ‘diversion’ to attend that evening Evelina extends an invitation to Mr. Macartney in the corner. She shows him respect when everyone else laughs at her intention of kindness. The Branghton’s all call him derogatory names because of his nationality. Evelina gives him money because she know he is in a desperate state. He ends up sending her a letter explaining his situation and thanking her for the kindness she has bestowed upon him. But what does this all amount to? Is it just to show how great of a person she is compared to others? Could it be that there is a suggestion that people can raise above their status in society by having ideal conduct towards others?

Evelina Volume I

When I began Evelina, I thought it was going to be exactly like Pamela. I am happy to say I was wrong. The style of the two stories in the epistolary format are the same but the content differs greatly. Evelina has been raised in a bucolic environment away from anyone that could do her harm. The first time that led my instincts down the path of thinking towards the Cinderella theme was when Rev. Villars writes to Lady Howard and says, “It seems, therefore, as if this deserted child, though legally heiress of two large fortunes, must owe all her rational expectations to adoption and friendship” (14). I have to admit that at some point I expected her to sing and dance in the company of woodland creatures. This was before insight of her character was presented. The beginning of Evelina’s internal thoughts did not begin until page 18 so the impression that I had of her was purely from the opinion of the other characters. When Evelina is pursued at an assembly by Lovel, she does not know how to respond to his persistence. This I found entertaining. The women that she is with all know how to conduct themselves in a ’proper’ fashion but she feels trapped. His persistence was very creepy and comparable to a lot of guys today and how they just cannot except no as an answer. The extent that he took the insult of her not dancing with him was ridiculous. Then to endure the attempts of Sir Clement Willoughby after this, Evelina received a picture of how inappropriate men can act.
Captain Mirvan is just as bad with his insults. One example is when it is their last night out on the town. Evelina and Miss Mirvan express that they enjoyed the opera above everything else and Captain Mirvan says, “they are a set of parrots, and speak by rote, for they all say the same thing…and for you, Moll…I charge that you‘ll never again be so impertinent as to have a taste of your own before my face” (91). This was an interesting scene because he scrutinizes them for not having independent thought and just being lemmings to the world of fashionable events but then turns to say that he disapproves of his daughter having independent thought. Thinking back to the previous males mentioned I do not think they like a woman being in charge of her choices either. Lovel becomes mad because she chooses not to dance with him but dances with Lord Orville. Willoughby will not leave her alone after she dances with him that one time. Being by her side will prevent any other prospects to present themselves to Evelina.
Lord Orville is the best male character so far in this novel (not including the Rev. Villars). I had long ago claimed my love for Mr. Darcy (Pride & Prejudice) but now that place he claimed is rivaled.
The issue with Madame Duval is a complicated one. She seems so intimidating, vicious, and deceitful that I feel like she has a hidden agenda. This brings me to the scene where the Branghton cousins stop by and try to persuade Evelina to go to the opera with them instead of with the Mirvan’s and company (70). It seems like Madame Duval sent them to see what would happen, as if to test Evelina. Maybe I get this sense because when they were leaving they said, “Well, her grand-mama will be in a fine passion, that’s one good thing” (71). Then Madame Duval flies into this angry passion and demonstrates the control that she can exert over Evelina. If this did not occur then Evelina would be ignorant of the submissive role she is expected to play to Madame Duval. Another part that I do not fully understand is why the Branghtons would be writing to Madame Duval of a plan to reinstate Evelina’s inheritance. It is not any of their business unless they plan on profiting from it in some way. These cousins, along with Madame Duval, seem to be up to no good and out for their own benefit and are not to be trusted.

Anti-Pamela

I really enjoyed the realism that Haywood used to portray situations a young girl may find herself in. The adventures of Syrena were very entertaining and they provided a different sort of connection. Haywood places Syrena in situations that are very probable, even today. For example, Syrena gets pregnant and decides to have an abortion. Another example, is when Syrena contracts gonorrhea from having so many partners. These two elements make her story a little more relatable. The contraction of the STD reminded me of the show Sex and the City. These women go around sleeping with random guys that they meet in a bar or even on the street corner but never worry about the possibility of contracting one of the many diseases that are out there. These sexual escapades that Syrena indulges in made me think that there was a little more to it than simply trying to support herself. While Haywood did use situations that are relatable she still included didactic messages. For example, when Mr. W meets Syrena at the park and decides to take her in at the end of this ‘adventure’ there is a lesson, “and ought to be a Warning to all Gentleman how they suffer themselves to be beguiled in the Manner he was, or expect Sincerity from Persons whom they commence an Acquaintance with in the Street” (215).
I found it very interesting that even if Syrena felt that she loved the guy she was with the thought process would default to a business transaction. She kept herself very distant from any of the men she was with, neither love nor hate was present. Which in doing so she gained my respect more than Shamela did. Shamela was an ingrate. While she did not love him, she did not have to harbor such animosity towards him. This is where Syrena maintains a balance.
Both of the anti-Pamela texts that we have read have an absence of a father figure. Whether he is in prison or has died does not matter so much as the result of his absence. Haywood and Fielding both portray Pamela as a gold digger. By the lack of a patriarch in the household they seem to suggest that women can be corrupted without their guidance. In Pamela, Richardson seemed to focus on the fact that her father was the driving force behind her virtuous behavior. Haywood could be suggesting that independent women are a threat to the traditional male role. If a girl is raised by her mother the mother plays both roles, she takes on double the responsibility because she has to act both the parts. This was probably not seen as ’proper.’ Taking a psychoanalytical view, Syrena could be seen as trying to get approval from any male figure she runs into, maybe the acceptance she never received from her father. In fact with so promiscuous a character, I am surprised that Haywood did not exceed the letters of the alphabet.
A couple things did bother me about Syrena and her mother. The first was after scamming Mr. L and being damned by the “pen and paper,” why did they continue to correspond that way while trying to scam Mr. D (139)? It was like they did not even consider the probability of that happening again. Also, why in the world would they continue to use their real names? It would have been easy to create and use aliases. Mrs. Tricksey often has doubts about how she raised her daughter throughout the text, “tis possible the old Woman now began to repent the having tran’d up a Child in that manner” (167). While she had these doubts from time to time she does nothing to hinder the scam that is currently in process. Oh! and did anyone else notice the return of the window theme? Maybe because windows are like people at times. They are transparent, can be dressed with rich fabric, etc. They also have the ability of keeping people out and in. I dont really know what to think just throwing some ideas out there.

Perfect Pamela

I get the impression that there is more meaning to people being viewed as property than the obvious superficial meaning that is easily taken for granted. Pamela begins as a servant in Mr. B’s mansion and then is kidnapped by him when she wants her freedom. Once she leaves and goes to live with her parents he will no longer have any control over her and she will not have to be submissive to his will. This brings me to the letters. After Professor Maruca asked about the significance of the letters, I found myself obsessing over it just as much as Mr. B obsesses about reading them. He provides his own excuses for wanting to read them, such as, “If I had not loved you, do you think I would have troubled myself about your letters” (239) then a couple pages later he says, “you have so beautiful a manner, that it is partly that, and partly my love for you that has made me desirous of reading all you write” (242) and again after he tells Pamela that he does not need to see the letters any longer but would still like to because “for the sake of the sweet manner in which you relate what has passed” (284). There are many more excuses that he provides throughout the text but these examples stood out to me. It seems that he may be able to control and own Pamela physically but it is a very different matter when it comes to her thoughts. This is the aspect of her that he cannot have full possession of. But then it is interesting to consider that he has transformed from a ‘wicked’ master into her ‘generous master.’ It seems that by reading the letters she writes he can change himself into the person she will approve of and in this way he is technically controlling/manipulating her thoughts and the contents of her letters.
I have to address the aspect of the situation that Pamela can control her master by her letters. Her opinion adjusts his behavior. This, I think, is the source of his anger issues. I think that Mr. B does not think he can be as good as Pamela expects or wants. This produces frustration in him and then all hell breaks loose.
I was taken back by the rules that Pamela must follow. She has escaped being a prisoner against her will but now she is a prisoner because it is her will. It was ridiculous when Lady Davers came and Pamela had to jump out the window. Once she gets to one of the houses (I cant remember which one) where Mr. B expected her to be she does not want to share the account of what happened because she remembers the china plate incident that he told her of. My one question is who cares? He should have a full account right then and there about what his insane and hot tempered sister did. At least they did end up discussing it, at the urging of everyone there. Of course everyone there wanted to hear the juicy details of this situation. Another aspect that bothers me is that Mr. B asked if Pamela had any adjustments that she would like to seem him make and she replied that she did not. I would have suggested some anger management and patience. Maybe, a restraining order against his sister.
One scene that really, really stood out to me was when Mr. B sent Pamela away and then became sick. He is lovesick because Pamela has left him. This transforms love from an emotional to a physical level. He would have never recovered if his Pamela did not return to him because her “presence has chased away [his] illness” (280).
When reading a novel, we take notice of the characters and the positive and negative aspects that they embody. I found it interesting that at the end of Pamela, Richardson felt compelled to tell the readers what they should get from his novel. I can see how Richardson got the idea for this novel from letters he was writing regarding conduct. It just seems a little odd in some circumstances, such as, Pamela jumping out the window into the garden to escape, or when she jumps out of the window to escape from Lady Davers. So is this what you are suppose to do when you are taken prisoner? Is this proper conduct? Maybe there is an underlying message about jumping out of windows.

Poor Pitied Pathetic Pamela

Usually when I read a novel with a female protagonist, she is strong and independent in one way or another. Pamela does not seem to possess these qualities because she is always crying, fainting, and/or submitting to the rules of others. She is upset because her master has wronged her but she continues to refer to him in a positive way along with ’naughty’ or ’wicked.’ It seems to me that she likes the attention and the only reason she is upset is because she is expected to be by society. I suspect that internally she loves the attention and her master.
If she wanted to runaway because her virtue was to be stolen she would have but no she stays crying and loathing the event that has not happened yet. It is as if she feels she has no control over her destiny. What would happen if she were to walk out the front door? Aside from the robbers and the bulls plotting against her, I doubt very much that anyone would shoot her. Although, I have reason to fear Mrs. Jewkes just because she was referred to as the devil and no one seems to like her.
I laughed at letter XXV, this is where Pamela’s master is hiding in the closet while Mrs. Jervis and Pamela are sitting on the bed talking and undressing. I could see this scene happening in a movie today. It seems so cliché for a modern comedy film but I don’t know if I was suppose to laugh because the entire book makes such a serious affair out of “poor” or “distressed” (times one hundred) Pamela’s virtue. One section that caught my eye was after Pamela finds out that honest John is dishonest. (Its page 124 in my copy) Under Tuesday and Wednesday. Pamela gets a moment alone with the Reverend and they create the plan of leaving notes in the garden. Well when Mrs. Jewkes joins the conversation, they mislead her to think that they are discussing the town. Pamela says, “But my deceit intended no hurt to any body.” Does this make deceit better if intentions were harmless? It seems that Pamela may be preserving her virtue of virginity but what about the other moral standards of society? Virtue could singularly mean sexual purity and chastity and I am just reading too much into it. Anyways, Pamela does seem to be coming ’undone’ in other ways. On page 116, there was another comical moment when Pamela says, “if I will accept her company to walk with me in the garden.--To waddle with me, rather, thought I.” Pamela’s attitude completely shifts once the text does. She becomes more sarcastic and dramatic towards people. At first she was writing letters and was a perfect angel but once she reaches the mansion she begins writing in a journalistic style and must be watched over constantly.
I cant help but wonder if it was appropriate for masters or the elite to kidnap women they felt entitled to and imprison them until they submitted to their will. Was this acceptable behavior in this time period or was there even a possibility of this happening? It strikes me as odd that none of the characters in the country care to help Pamela while she is locked up in the mansion (besides the Reverend). I suppose that the novel was written for a specific purpose and if events occurred as I wanted it wouldn’t be much of a novel. So I am going to try and read the rest just accepting what may come (and it looks like a lot since this book is 533 pages). Thinking about the trials Pamela is being exposed to reminds me of Arthurian legend. Up until this point I have been looking at Pamela as trying to preserve her virtue maybe if I look at it as her virtue is repeatedly being tested she will appear to be more of a heroine.