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Ethos
Foil
Explanation and Analysis—Pamela and Sally:
Pamela and Sally Godfrey are foils, representing opposite fates for women who attract Mr. B.'s attention. Mr. B. begins making his interest in Pamela clear almost as soon as his mother dies and the young woman comes under his supervision. He abuses her and cuts her off from her family until she is afraid to go to sleep at night for fear that he will assault her in her sleep. Through all of this, Pamela fights him off. She will only entertain his sexual attention once he comes around to the idea of marrying her. Even then, she holds him at bay until after they are actually married. Placed in the most trying of circumstances, Pamela nevertheless upholds societal and parental expectations that she refuse to have sex until after she is married.
Related Themes:
The Journal
Explanation and Analysis—Jervis and Jewkes:
Mrs. Jervis and Mrs. Jewkes are foils. Pamela comments on the contrast between the two of them in the Journal, when Mrs. Jewkes forbids Nan from answering any of Pamela's questions:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Nan offer’d to talk a little once or twice; and she snubbed her, and said, I charge you, Wench, don’t open your Lips before me! And if you are asked any Questions by Mrs. Pamela, don’t answer her one Word, while I am here!—But she is a lordly Woman to the Maid-servants, and that has always been her Character. O how unlike good Mrs. Jervis in every thing!
Related Themes:
