Pamela Character Analysis

Pamela

Pamela Andrews is a 15-year-old servant girl from a relatively impoverished background who, after the death of her old master, Lady B, starts a new job working for Lady B’s son, Mr. B… read analysis of Pamela

Mr. B

Mr. B is a rich libertine who is the son of Lady B and the brother of Lady Davers. When the death of Lady B leaves him in charge of the servant girl Pamela… read analysis of Mr. B

Mrs. Jewkes

Mrs. Jewkes is a servant at Mr. B’s Lincolnshire estate who helps keep Pamela trapped there. At first, she seems like an evil version of the similarly-named Mrs. Jervis. Unlike Mrs. Jervis, Mrs… read analysis of Mrs. Jewkes

Mrs. Jervis

Mrs. Jervis is Pamela’s main ally in her new job as a servant for Mr. B. She is an older woman who provides advice to the young and naïve Pamela, acting like a… read analysis of Mrs. Jervis

Mr. Williams

Mr. Williams is a preacher who lives near the Lincolnshire estate of Mr. B. Mr. Williams is in line to inherit a position from another elderly gentleman in the area, but to do so… read analysis of Mr. Williams

Father

Pamela’s father is a simple man who comes from a family of respectable farmers but who more recently fell into debt. He and Pamela’s mother are the intended audience for many of Pamela’s writings… read analysis of Father

Lady Davers

Lady Davers is the daughter of Lady B and the sister of Mr. B. Initially, she doesn’t appear in the novel but represents an escape—a person to whom Pamela might be able to turn… read analysis of Lady Davers

Mother

Like Pamela’s father, Pamela’s mother is simple but virtuous. She seems to leave most of the correspondence with Pamela to Pamela’s father, even on the letters that she signs with her name, suggesting… read analysis of Mother

Sally Godfrey

Sally Godfrey is the mother of Mr. B’s first child, Miss Goodwin, although the two of them never married. As Mr. B tells it, Sally’s family tried to trick Mr. B into marrying… read analysis of Sally Godfrey

John

John is a footman who carries most of Pamela’s letters back to her mother and father in the first part of the book. Although Pamela feels a lot of gratitude toward John for helping… read analysis of John

Mr. Longman

Mr. Longman is the steward at Mr. B’s Bedfordshire house. He is an older man who takes an immediate liking to Pamela. While Pamela is trapped at Lincolnshire, Mr. Longman sends a message… read analysis of Mr. Longman

Miss Goodwin

Miss Goodwin is Mr. B’s daughter with Sally Godfrey who currently attends boarding school. Before boarding school, Lady Davers raised her, changing her last name from “Godfrey” to “Goodwin” to avoid scandal (since Mr… read analysis of Miss Goodwin

Lady B

Lady B is a kind, wealthy woman, who on her deathbed recommends her trusted servant Pamela to her son Mr. B. Lady B’s selfless, caring behavior provides a contrast for the initially selfish behavior… read analysis of Lady B

Nan

Nan is a maid and one of Pamela’s only friends during her early days of imprisonment at Mr. B’s Lincolnshire estate. At one point, Mr. B forces Nan to sleep in bed with… read analysis of Nan

Fortuneteller

The fortuneteller wanders by Mr. B’s Lincolnshire estate one day and offers to tell the fortune of Mrs. Jewkes, Pamela, and Nan. She predicts that Mrs. Jewkes will find a husband… read analysis of Fortuneteller

The Editor

Toward the end of the book, the fictional Editor of Pamela's letters tells the reader information about Mr. B that Pamela herself doesn’t know, which creates dramatic irony. The Editor also provides what is… read analysis of The Editor

Minor Characters

Monsieur Colbrand

Monsieur Colbrand is a big man employed by Mr. B at his Lincolnshire estate. He frightens Pamela at first, essentially acting as a prison guard, but he reveals himself to be kind and tries to protect Pamela from harm.

Jackey

Jackey is the nephew of Lady Davers. Although he initially shares her disdain for Pamela, he quickly accepts her after learning of her marriage to Mr. B, showing how marriage could have a transformative impact on life in 18th-century Britain, even impacting the deeply ingrained class system.

Simon Darnford

Simon Darnford is a gentleman who lives near Mr. B’s Lincolnshire estate. He and his family often make social visits and help welcome Pamela into upper-class society.

Mr. Jonathan

Mr. Jonathan is a butler who works for Mr. B at this Bedfordshire house. He tries to help Pamela by sending her a note to give her advance notice of one of Mr. B’s tricks.

Widow Mumford

Widow Mumford is a widowed woman who lives near Pamela’s mother and father. She sometimes gives them advice, and to thank her, Pamela arranges to send the widow some money toward the end of the book.

Pamela

Samuel Richardson

Pamela Characters

Pamela

Mr. B

Mrs. Jewkes

Mrs. Jervis

Mr. Williams

Father

Lady Davers

Mother

Sally Godfrey

John

Mr. Longman

Miss Goodwin

Lady B

Nan

Fortuneteller

The Editor