Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Anti-Pamela

When I first started reading Haywood's Anti Pamela I thought it had nothing to do with Richardson's Pamela. I kept looking for similarities or very obvious differences between Pamela and Syerna and all I could find was the fact that Pamela was very virtuous and Syrena was a complete whore. As I continued reading I began to think that maybe Syrena's actions are the way that Pamela truly wanted to act but could not due to the goodness of her character. It's as if Syrena is the embodiment of Pamela's deepest and darkest desires. She truly is the "Anti-Pamela."
I also found it interesting that Haywood portrayed Syrena as such a slut for lack of better words. Syrena contracts an STD, gets pregnant, has an abortion, and still continues on her sexual escapades. However, even Syrena embraces the fact that she is portrayed as a slut. She does not deny it and she does not try to be any other way. It reminded me a lot of the famous prostitute from the Beggar's Opera... I forget her name. Anyway, Syrena is a slut and she knows it. I don't really know if she likes or dislikes being that way since she shows little to no emotion to the people she sleeps with. One would think that if she didn't like the way she was living she would change her ways, but she doesn't so it makes me think she likes selling herself.
I also liked all the reasoning Haywood provided for why Syrena is the way she is. Towards the beginning Haywood talks about how Syrena was raised only by her mother because her father died. I don't remember the exact wording but Haywood basically says that Syrena's lack of father, and being raised by a whorish mother is why she turned out this way. I think it's pretty good reasoning.
I liked the character of Syrena because she seemed so real. She did not try to hide the way she was, instead she fully embraced it and her whole character was built on it. I liked her openness.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Pamela

I don't think I like the character of Pamela. The story is interesting and is able to hold my attnetion while reading it, but as I read I often say wow I really hate this girl. Instead of feeling sorry for her as she deals with her master constantly pressuring her sexually, I just get frustrated with her character as a whole. She is always crying and whining and complaining, and throwing hysterical fits. I understand that she holds her innocence and virtue at utmost importance but she is just so whiney and miserable. If she was less uptight she probably wouldn't be crying all the time. I'm not saying that she should give in to her master, but her charcter seems to be stuck up. If she loosened up a little she would have a much better time. I wish Pamela would have the mental and physical strangth to just punch her master in the face and tell him to leave her alone. I know that wouldn't exactly be appropriate behavior for Pamela, but I think if a woman is being attacked physically or sexually it is her perogative to fight back physically. Pamela is such a weak character, and the whole story is built around her weak personality and the fact that she succumbs to everything around her. She needs a back bone.
I like the relationship between Pamela and Mrs. Jarvis. Mrs. Jarvis is such a sweet motherly type, and she is very patient. If Pamela came crying to me everyday, I would not have half as much kindness and patience as Mrs. Jarvis.
I'm not sure what to think about Pamela's parents. Pamela writes to them and tells them how distressed she is, and it just seems odd to me that instead of trying to get their daughter out of that situation they just continue to write sappy letters. They give Pamela good insightful advice, but their advice is really of no help when Pamela's master is attacking her.
So far I like the story, I just don't like Pamela.