This thesis critically explores the literary representations of passivity in the sentimental novel, and examines how passivity relates to agency by conducting a close reading of Samuel Richardson’s...Show moreThis thesis critically explores the literary representations of passivity in the sentimental novel, and examines how passivity relates to agency by conducting a close reading of Samuel Richardson’s Pamela and Clarissa. It reveals that the concepts of passivity and agency are not inherently contradictory by demonstrating that the heroines of Richardson’s novels are able to enact agency through their passivity.Show less
This thesis critically explores the published scholarship on the concept of eighteenth-century chastity, and examines how chastity and agency function within the literature by conducting a...Show moreThis thesis critically explores the published scholarship on the concept of eighteenth-century chastity, and examines how chastity and agency function within the literature by conducting a historically-informed close reading of Richardson’s Pamela and Haywood’s Fantomina. It demonstrates that the literary representations of virtue in these novels reveal the construction of virginity as a performance of an intangible concept that is economically valuable, and highlight the fact that virginity is intrinsically linked to the concept of agency.Show less
The focus of this thesis is the change in Pamela due to her entrapment in Mr B.’s household, and the elements of violence that are present in the relationship between Mr B. and Pamela. This is...Show moreThe focus of this thesis is the change in Pamela due to her entrapment in Mr B.’s household, and the elements of violence that are present in the relationship between Mr B. and Pamela. This is examined by close-reading Pamela, and by investigating elements of Oroonoko and Beauty and the Beast to show how romanticized violence, Stockholm syndrome, and complex PTSD can be applied to literary characters.Show less
