Pamela Censured

"Pamela Censured" by Anonymous is a sharp response to Samuel Richardson's "Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded," offering a dissenting view on the novel's supposedly virtuous message. This anonymous critique, likely from the 1700s, challenges the widespread praise of "Pamela" by suggesting it cleverly hides questionable content as a lesson in morality. Framed as a letter to the editor, the author picks apart the narrative, pointing out how Pamela's trials and the seductive behavior she faces could mislead young readers into mistaking these situations as romantic or admirable. It questions if the novel's portrayal of virtue is actually a guide to immoral thoughts and actions by examining how these elements are presented, consequently raising concerns about the book's appropriateness for younger audiences and expressing the view that it is impure.