Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 9

Name: Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 9
Author: Samuel Richardson

By Samuel Richardson

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British Literature Novels

About This Book

The narrative is presented as an extended sequence of letters tracing a young woman's efforts to resist family-imposed expectations and the persistent seduction and coercion of a manipulative suitor. Correspondence records her flight, attempts to secure support, the interventions of friends and relatives, and her sustained moral reflection amid humiliation, confinement, and physical decline. Recurring concerns include autonomy versus familial authority, sexual consent and power, and the limits placed on female agency; the epistolary structure emphasizes interior states, contested reputations, and competing perspectives on virtue, suffering, and social judgment.

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.