How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"We are, 'tis true, very poor, and find it hard enough to live; tho' once, as you know, it was better with us. But we would sooner live upon the Water and Clay of the Ditches I am forc'd to dig, than to live better at the Price of our dear Child's Ruin." (5.1)
In this early letter to Pamela, her parents make sure she knows what's important to them: her self-respect, intelligence, and happiness. J/K! Her virtue, and only her virtue. This early moment sets us up to understand how Pamela came to prize her virtue so highly—because we get the feeling that, if she slipped, there wouldn't be a happy homecoming.
Quote #2
. . . We had rather see you all cover'd with Rags, and even follow you to the Church-yard, than have it said, a Child of ours preferr'd worldly Conveniencies to her Virtue. (5.5)
Pamela's parents assert they would even rather see her dead than "ruined," i.e. sexed up. Whoa. How's that for parental love?
Quote #3
And must it not be look'd upon as a sort of Warrant for such Actions, if I stay after this? for I think, when one of our Sex finds she is attempted, it is an Encouragement to a Person to proceed, if one puts one's self in the Way of it, when one can help it; and it shews one can forgive what in short ought not to be forgiven. Which is no small Countenance to foul Actions, I'll assure you. (21.5)
Talk about victim-blaming: here, Pamela explains to Mrs. Jervis that she wants to leave the house because, if she stays, she'll look like she was asking for it. Or something. Either way, we're not really down with this thought process.