Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded

Set in the 18th century, this epistolary novel explores themes of virtue and social norms through the experiences of its protagonist, Pamela. As the first English novel, it gained immense popularity, often read aloud in communal settings, which helped establish the novel as a respected literary form. Samuel Richardson's work not only reflects the conduct literature of its time but also influenced future writers to adopt and adapt its narrative style.