Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 1

Name: Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 1
Author: Samuel Richardson

By Samuel Richardson

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British Literature Novels

About This Book

An extended epistolary narrative centers on a virtuous young woman whose resistance to an imposed marriage sets off family coercion and the determined attentions of a charming libertine. Told through letters among her, a close female friend, and two men plotting in confidence, the correspondence lays bare schemes, betrayals, and the heroine's steadfast moral deliberations amid escalating danger. The work examines parental authority, sexual politics, repentance, and religious conscience, alternating intimate reflection with dramatic incidents to warn against manipulative courtship and to probe the demands of virtue under severe social pressure.

About the Author

Samuel Richardson

Samuel Richardson was an influential English novelist and a key figure in the development of the novel as a literary form. He is best known for his epistolary novels, which explore themes of virtue, morality, and social class. His most notable works include "Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded," which tells the story of a young maid's struggle to maintain her virtue against the advances of her master, and "Clarissa," a complex narrative that delves into the life and trials of a young woman facing societal pressures. Richardson's writing is characterized by its psychological depth and intricate character development, making significant contributions to the literary heritage of the 18th century.