The thesis examines the novel Pamela by Samuel Richardson and explores how the work reflects and subtly challenges the social norms of 18th-century English society. It focuses on the protagonist Pamela Andrews, a young servant who, with unwavering virtue and moral strength, resists the pressures of the aristocrat Mr. B, thus rejecting the subordination expected of women at the time. The thesis analyzes whether Pamela's behavior reinforces or challenges the patriarchal values of the period and examines the social and gender relations in the context of her dynamic with Mr. B. The novel, written in epistolary form, is analyzed through the lens of power and gender roles, while also considering broader social and cultural influences. The thesis investigates the novel’s dual discourse, which on one hand reinforces patriarchal norms, but at the same time, through the character of Pamela, opens a space for potential social change.
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