Shamela was his first novel which was published in April 1741. The full title of the short novel was ‘An Apology for the Life of Mrs. Shamela Andrews.’ It was a satirical burlesque, picaresque, and epistolatory novel that parodied three major works of that period. A burlesque literary work is intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of other serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects or characters.
Henry Fielding wrote this novel with the pseudonym Conny Keyber which resembles Colley Ciber, the poet laureate who published his memoir during the same year. Fielding also parodied Conyers Middleton’s Life of Cicero, which was dedicated to the British Prime Minister to curry favor. However, the major subject of the satire that Shamela was, was Samuel Richardson’s moralistic novel Pamela published in 1740, and his epistolatory writing style.
Pamela told in epistolary fashion, is the story of a young country maid whose master continually makes many improper advances on her. We see her attempts to ward off his advances and her virtue is eventually rewarded by her marriage to her master. We also see her transformation to an upper-class wife. Throughout the work, Pamela is seen as completely innocent, and utterly naive in the ways of the world. Pamela was extolled as an account of how virtuous young ladies should deport themselves. The Master, Mr B-- in Pamela is depicted as a near rapist exploiting his position of power to abuse Pamela. Other than his money, he seems a completely despicable person. One of the major accusations against Pamela is that the novel suggests that women are simply commodities who lose their value when they lose their virginity. Shamela is a short novel written in sixty pages that highlights the sexual hypocrisy, corruption, and pretentious writing styles of other authors. Eliza Haywood published a similar novel to Shamela in 1741 and named it The Anti-Pamela: or Feigned Innocence Detached.
Characters of Shamela:
Shamela is the titular character of the novel. Unlike Samuel Richardson’s Pamela, Shamela is wily and manipulative. Fielding transforms Richardson’s virtuous servant girl into a predatory fortune hunter who cold-bloodedly lures her lustful wealthy master into matrimony. She is petulant and childish and treats others poorly even when they give her what she wants. Henrietta Maria Honora Andrews is Shamela’s mother who once was as lascivious as Shamela is. She encourages Shamela to be smart in her own dalliances and to make sure that the squire marries her. Mrs. Lucretia Jervis is an old servant of the squire who helps Shamela in seducing and blackmailing the Squire. Parson Arthur Williams is a local clergyman whose family the Squire's family supported years back. He is just as manipulative as Shamela. He enjoys having a sexual relationship with her and doesn’t care for the duties of a clergyman. Squire Booby (Mr. B-- of Pamela) is Pamela’s employer whom she seduces and makes him pursue her. Mrs. Jewkes is a servant of the squire who first helped Shamela in seducing the Parson and then helps her in seducing Squire Booby. Parson Tickletext is a clergyman who is very impressed by the virtues of Pamela as he reads her biography in the novel Pamela. However, Parson Oliver informs him that the true name of Pamela is Shamela and tells him about the true colors of Shamela. John Puff is a lawyer who writes an encomiastic letter about Shamela, which is included as a preface.
Summary of Shamela:
The novel begins as Parson Tickletext writes a letter to his friend Parson Oliver while praising the book Pamela and how impressed he is by the virtuous character of this young lady Pamela. He really believes the novel’s emphasis on chastity and righteous living would make a good read for young women throughout England. Parson Oliver gets the letter and answers it back, informing that he knows Pamela personally, and her actual name is not Pamela; but Shamela Andrews, the daughter of a notorious unwed woman Henrietta Maria Honora Andrews. Parson Oliver mentions that Shamela’s father was a Scottish drummer in the army but he was an irresponsible alcoholic who lost all his money in gambling and pimped his beloved Henrietta. Oliver further informs that Shamela deserves no praise as she has never been virtuous, and all the things mentioned in the book Pamela are farce. The rest of the story is told in letters between the major characters, such as Shamela, her mother, Henrietta Maria Honora Andrews, Master Booby, Mrs. Jeweks, Mrs. Jervis, and Rev. Arthur Williams, much like in Pamela.
Henrietta and Shamela both work at the estate Booby Hall owned by Squire Booby who is a preposterous foolish man. Shamela writes a letter to her mother, informing her that Master Booby has grown a keen interest in her. She mentions how the squire held her hand and she pretended to be exceedingly shy and when Mr. Booby kissed her, she pretended to be angry. Henrietta praises the proceedings and guides Shamela to be cautious. She instructs her to collect as much money as she can before Squire Booby kisses her again.
Another housemaid Mrs. Jewkes is assisting Shamela in trapping Squire Booby and making him marry Shamela. The local clergyman Parson Arthur Williams notices something is going off in the Booby Hall and he reprimands Shamela for her conspiring tricks. But Shamela seduces him with her youthful tactics. Parson Arthur Williams realizes that helping Shamela get married to Squire Williams may help him attain a higher social status. He not only sexually exploits Shamela being his lover, but also helps her in her schemes.
Shamela also takes the help of another maid Mrs. Jervis whom Squire Booby trusts. Shamela flaunts her “virtue” in front of Squire Booby. When they both know that he can overhear them talking, Shamela tells Mrs. Jervis that though she finds Squire Booby to be a charming gentleman, she will resist all of his romantic inclinations to protect her “vartue.” She recalls all of the strong, moral lessons her mother taught her about the willful ways of men, how they can zap your “vartue” by the day and then flee into the night forever. Mrs. Jervis melodramatically praises the virtuous Shamela.
Shamela continues to excite Squire Booby in such a way by wearing figure-hugging clothes and is overtly flirtatious and coquettish so that he is persuaded to take advantage of her while she sleeps. As he sneaks into her room and puts a hand on her breast, she leans into him in her "sleep" pushing him to go further until she "wakes" begging him to not destroy her "virtue" before they are married. After several such encounters, Squire Booby is now convinced that Shamela can be a good virtuous, and voluptuous wife for him.
Shamela sends her mother the letter that Squire Booby sent to her praising her behavior, declaring his love, and implying that together they can live a life of “Honor.” Her mother is overjoyed by the news and notes that Shamela shouldn’t be too sad about “ending” her relationship with Parson Williams as they can still see each other on the side.
Parson Williams performs the marriage of Shamela and Squire Booby, who helped Parson Williams’ family financially, many years back. Initially, Squire Booby feels something is wrong between Shamela and Parson Williams but Shamela’s protestations that she is innocent win him over. She is thus able to carry on her affair with the parson under her husband's nose.
The series of letters ends with a postscript to Tickletext saying that the Squire found Shamela in bed with Williams and kicked her out and is trying to prosecute the Parson. Squire Williams has already informed the church about Parson William’s indiscretions. Parson Tickletext is startled and horrified after examining all these letters and evidence and is grateful that he now knows the truth.
As one can see, Shamela is the antithesis of Samuel Richardson’s Pamela.
So this is it for today. We will continue to discuss the history of English literature. Please stay connected with the Discourse. Thanks and Regards!
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