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Clarissa Harlowe: The History of a Young Lady - A Novel of Love, Loss, and Sacrifice

Bob Cooper

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Published in Clarissa Harlowe Or The History Of A Young Lady: Volume 5

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Clarissa Harlowe, A Beautiful And Virtuous Young Woman, Is The Protagonist Of Samuel Richardson's Epistolary Novel Of The Same Name. Clarissa Harlowe Or The History Of A Young Lady: Volume 5

Clarissa Harlowe, Samuel Richardson's masterpiece, is a poignant and complex novel that explores the themes of love, loss, and sacrifice. Published in 1748, it was one of the first epistolary novels, consisting entirely of letters between the characters. The novel follows the tragic story of Clarissa Harlowe, a young woman who is forced to choose between her love for Robert Lovelace and her duty to her family.

Clarissa Harlowe -or- The History of a Young Lady: Volume 5

by Samuel Richardson

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4398 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	178 pages

Plot Summary

Clarissa Harlowe is a beautiful and virtuous young woman who is admired by all who know her. Despite her father's disapproval, she falls in love with Robert Lovelace, a charming but manipulative rake. When her family discovers their secret relationship, they forbid her from seeing him. Desperate to be with her beloved, Clarissa elopes with Lovelace. However, Lovelace's true nature is soon revealed, and he drugs and rapes Clarissa.

Heartbroken and humiliated, Clarissa flees from Lovelace and seeks refuge in a brothel. There, she is reunited with her cousin, Colonel Morden, who helps her to escape. However, Clarissa is dying from the injuries she sustained during her ordeal with Lovelace. In her final moments, she forgives Lovelace and dies in the arms of her family.

Major Themes

Love

Clarissa Harlowe is a novel about love in all its forms. There is the passionate and illicit love between Clarissa and Lovelace, the familial love between Clarissa and her family, and the platonic love between Clarissa and her friend, Anna Howe. Richardson explores the different types of love and how they can lead to both happiness and heartache.

Loss

The novel is also a story about loss. Clarissa loses her love, her family, and her life. Richardson shows how loss can devastate a person and how it can lead to both despair and self-discovery.

Sacrifice

Clarissa Harlowe is a story about sacrifice. Clarissa sacrifices her own happiness for the sake of her family and her reputation. Richardson explores the different types of sacrifices that people are willing to make and how those sacrifices can lead to both personal growth and redemption.

Characters

Clarissa Harlowe

Clarissa Harlowe is the protagonist of the novel. She is a beautiful, virtuous, and intelligent young woman. She is deeply in love with Robert Lovelace, but she is also aware of his flaws. Clarissa is a complex and sympathetic character. She is both strong and vulnerable, and she is ultimately a victim of her own circumstances.

Robert Lovelace

Robert Lovelace is the antagonist of the novel. He is a charming, wealthy, and intelligent man. However, he is also a rake and a libertine. Lovelace is deeply in love with Clarissa, but he is also unable to resist temptation. He is a complex and enigmatic character. He is both capable of great love and great cruelty.

Anna Howe

Anna Howe is Clarissa's best friend and confidante. She is a lively, intelligent, and compassionate young woman. Anna Howe is deeply loyal to Clarissa, and she does everything in her power to help her friend.

Colonel Morden

Colonel Morden is Clarissa's cousin. He is a brave, honorable, and compassionate man. Colonel Morden is deeply in love with Clarissa, but he respects her decision to marry Lovelace. He is a true friend to Clarissa, and he helps her to escape from Lovelace and to find refuge.

Significance

Clarissa Harlowe is a significant work of literature for several reasons. It was one of the first epistolary novels, and it helped to popularize this genre. The novel is also a valuable historical document. It provides a glimpse into the social and moral values of 18th-century England.

Clarissa Harlowe is also a powerful and moving story about love, loss, and sacrifice. The novel has been praised by critics for its realism, its psychological insights, and its emotional power. It is considered to be one of the greatest novels of the 18th century.

Clarissa Harlowe is a complex and challenging novel that rewards multiple readings. It is a story that will stay with you long after you finish it. It is a story about love, loss, and sacrifice. It is a story about the human condition.

Clarissa Harlowe -or- The History of a Young Lady: Volume 5

by Samuel Richardson

4.3 out of 5