Previous
Letter 16
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Pamela, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Value of Virtue
Class and Morality
Religion and Marriage
Sexual Politics
Summary
Analysis
Pamela’s father and mother write that they will welcome Pamela back. Her father promises that they’ll all work to make enough money to survive, although he notes that his mother will soon have trouble doing needle-work due to her failing eyesight. Her father also says he wants to give the four guineas back to Mr. B, even though he’s already spent one of them and would have to borrow it back.
Although this letter from Pamela’s parents seems to suggest that they value Pamela’s virtue above all else, there is perhaps a worried or even passive-aggressive element in the background—it's possible that when Pamela’s father mentions Pamela’s mother’s failing eyesight, he does so to guilt Pamela into trying to make the best of her situation with Mr. B for the money.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
