The birth of the novel occurred in 1719, with the publication of Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe. This literary form quickly became the most accessible and enjoyable style; therefore, novels began to be published rapidly. Without any comparison and without any pre-issued set of standards, early novels often had no chapters, no spelling errors (the first dictionary wasn't published until 1755), and no set length or format. As a result, many experimental formats were underway in the mid-to-late 1700s. One of the most popular forms to emerge during this period of uncertainty was the epistolary novel. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay An epistolary novel is a novel that takes the form of written correspondence between characters within a story. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, this style of novel has several advantages. First of all, it allows a clear view of what multiple characters think and feel because the reader is not limited to one focal point of view. It also allows the reader a deeper and broader look at the story itself: the reader is able to see more than one side of each event that occurs ("Epistolary Novels"). Although this particular novel format lost popularity in the nineteenth century and eventually became rare, it flourished in the eighteenth century and served as a favorite platform for a particularly popular genre of early novels: the novel of manners. novel that demonstrates how a person (almost always a woman) should behave in particular social situations and in everyday life. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the story is “dominated” by social mores, and the character must learn how he should act and react in certain situations (“Novel of Manners”). This genre was very popular during the Restoration and early Romantic period, presumably as a result of the emergence of the libertine in both literature and society. A libertine is a man with little regard for morality, especially when it comes to sexuality. Libertine men of this time often felt they were entitled to a woman's body, despite her arguments. In many novels of manners, the themes of seduction and rape are rampant. The ultimate goal of the heroine of these tales is often to make her way into society politely and with her virtue intact. The Pamela novels; or Virtue Rewarded by Samuel Richardson and Evelina; or, The Story of a Young Woman's Entry into the World of Frances Burney fits perfectly into both of the above-mentioned categories. Both novels are mannered epistolary novels, so they already have a lot in common. However, they also have differences, partly because one is written by a man and the other by a woman, although both stories have a female protagonist. This article will attempt to compare and contrast each story, exploring stylistic and thematic similarities and differences. In the end, however, the two novels will be unified in genre and theme, despite presenting apparent differences.Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded was written by Samuel Richardson and published in 1740. In “Learning to be Female” it was referred to as literature on “conduct of life” (Kerisson 522). The History Letters tells the story of Pamela Andrews, a servant in Lady Booby's house. After her death, her son, Mr. B, becomes the head of the family and wastes no time in pursuing Pamela. The novel consists of an entertaining (if infuriating) cat-and-mouse story about Mr. B's unrequited love for Pamela, and Pamela cleverly escaping his grasp to save her virtue. Mr. B is clearly alibertine character and attempts to seduce (or rape) Pamela on several occasions. He even hides in her room to watch her undress, and later disguises himself as a woman to try to get close to her. On one occasion, Pamela finally believes she will return to her parents, only to be deceived by Mr. B and taken to another place, another of his homes. Pamela finally manages to escape, but then returns out of pity when Mr. B writes to her telling her that he has fallen ill. Even though Pamela is a servant and Mr. B is a member of high society (and even though he has literally been trying to rape her for months), the two get engaged and Pamela carries herself with such grace and sophistication that no one seems to notice. care that she was, once, a servant. Mr B's sister Lady Davers arrives after Mr B has to leave to care for sick relatives, and Pamela is repeatedly insulted and ultimately held captive by Lady Davers. Pamela is forced to escape out a window, where she is helped by Mrs. Jewkes and Mr. Colbrand. However, being the kind and virtuous person that she is, Pamela eventually forgives Lady Davers. He also meets Miss Goodwin, a young girl at a boarding school who is thought to be Pamela's half-sister. Eventually, Pamela learns her role as the wife of a nobility and lives a happy life among the nobility of the land, who enjoy her company. Pamela also makes sure Miss Goodwin is well looked after. Pamela was generally well received and was what we might today call a "best seller". According to Margret Ann Doody, “everyone reads it; there was a rage for 'Pamela,' and Pamela motifs appeared on teacups and fans” (“Introduction to Samuel Richardson's Pamela”). However, Pamela also had some not-so-friendly criticism. Some people (of the upper class) were outraged by a rags to riches story and were equally offended by the way their people were portrayed in the story. In response to this criticism, Richardson made some changes in hopes of pacifying the critics. It was not only the upper class who objected to Pamela, but some of Richardson's contemporaries did as well. Most notably, Henry Fielding wrote the short story An Apology for the Life of Mrs. Shamela Andrews, often simply called Shamela as a direct attack on and satire of Richardson's popular novel. According to "Henry Fielding Shamela Introduction", the purpose of the parody was to "expose the hypocrisy of contemporary mores" and satirizes not only the story itself, but also the political and clerical leaders of the time (LeBlanc). The introduction goes on to explain how, while Pamela uses virtue and is ultimately rewarded, Shamela behaves badly to get what she wants. Another parody was published by Eliza Haywood in 1741. Her work, entitled The Anti-Pamela; or Feigned Innocence, followed a seemingly innocent young woman named Pamela who used her cunning to get everything she wanted from her dim-witted master. However, despite these parodies and previous criticism, Pamela was a huge success.Evelina; Or, The Story of a Young Girl's Entry into the World was written by Frances Burney and was published in 1778. Also written in epistolary form, this novel centers on Evelina Annville, a young woman raised by Reverend Villars after her death . mother and her father's rejection. Evelina is sent to live with Lady Howard and her family at Howard Grove. Evelina then travels to London with her family, where she is introduced to London's high society. Evelina's false pauses serve as a teaching tool for readers. Evelina attends balls and theater performances, meets men (some tastier than others) and must learn to integrate into this unknown society. Evelina meets her grandmother, who devises a plan toconvince Evelina's father to claim her so she can receive his inheritance. Evelina moves to London with her grandmother, her grandmother's grandson and her children, who often embarrass Evelina. There she meets Mr. Macartney, a Scotsman who often seems melancholy. When she sees him about to commit suicide, Evelina heroically saves him. He later discovers that Macartney is his brother. Her father finally claims her and Evelina receives the money she is owed. She also marries LordOrville, one of the few men Evelina has a favorable opinion of throughout the novel. Unlike Samuel Richardson, Burney did not face as much criticism for Evelina. Although she was originally published anonymously, she was ousted by one of her contemporaries in a poem she called “vile.” The dedication of the book itself reads: “The broad program of your critical observations, which, not limited to works of utility or ingenuity, 'is equally open to those of frivolous amusement,'—and, worse than frivolous, dullness,—encourages ask me for your protection, since, perhaps for my sins! - gives me the right to your notes. Resending, therefore, this offer, however insignificant, will not become the universality of your enterprise; though he may not despise it, alas! be out of your power." In Gina Campbell's “How to Read Like a Gentlemen,” Campbell argues that the introduction is important because Burney realizes that she needs “a benevolent or at least impartial reception and recognizes that it will not be given to her as a matter of course.” (Campbell 557). Both of these stories, although different in plot, have many similarities. Even before delving into the text itself, there are many similarities between Pamela and Evelina. The most obvious comparison is in the text format. As mentioned above, both novels are epistolary novels, so each of the stories is told through letters from various characters. Continuing the non-textual similarities, both works were published in the 18th century. Pamela and Evelina were well received (mostly) and widely read. Beyond these superficial issues, there are also some apparent thematic similarities. Both of these works can be described as “domestic” fiction, focusing on women in the many trials of courtship, seduction, and love (Ozarska 72). Both tales are coming-of-age and courtship tales that follow a young woman's adventures in society and ultimately marriage. It's also interesting to note that both heroines are unsure who their parents are: Pamela doesn't know who her mother or father is, and Evelina knows her mother is dead but isn't sure who her father is for much of the story. history. Another family issue present in both stories is the discovery of a brother. Both Evelina and Pamela meet people who later turn out to be their brothers. Additionally, both stories have subplots that include possible (though not always legitimate) fears of incest. Likewise, both novels have the same end goal: to teach young women how to behave in society. Even though the two novels do this in different ways, the result is ultimately the same: you will be rewarded with a comfortable life and a good(?) husband if you act virtuously. In each story, women “move between social classes unsure of what their circumstances will be” (Anpak). This is to say that neither woman is particularly noble, although they have been introduced (through different circumstances) into high society. Of course, novels also have many differences. Stylistically, although they are both primarily epistolary novels, Pamela also contains diary entries, while Evelina does not. This could give Pamela herself more characterization, as we need to know. 419–439.