Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 6

"Clarissa Harlowe; or the History of a Young Lady — Volume 6" by Samuel Richardson is a novel written during the early 18th century. It continues the tragic tale of the titular character, Clarissa Harlowe, exploring themes of virtue, seduction, and the complexities of human morality. The narrative is primarily driven by the tumultuous interactions between Clarissa and the unscrupulous Lovelace, as well as her struggles against societal expectations and familial pressures. The beginning of this volume reveals Lovelace in a conflicted state, grappling with his intentions toward Clarissa as he vacillates between his desires and his conscience. He writes letters to his friend Belford, outlining his schemes and the psychological turmoil he faces regarding his romantic pursuits. Lovelace reflects on his past actions and the impact they have had on Clarissa, who remains resolute in her rejection of him. Lovelace’s manipulation and the tension between love and control set the stage for the emotional and dramatic conflicts that underpin this installment, illustrating the contrasting ideals of virtue and libertinism. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Samuel Richardson was an English writer and printer known for three epistolary novels: Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded (1740), Clarissa: Or the History of a Young Lady (1748) and The History of Sir Charles Grandison (1753). He printed almost 500 works, including journals and magazines, working periodically with the London bookseller Andrew Millar. Richardson had been apprenticed to a printer, whose daughter he eventually married. He lost her along with their six children, but remarried and had six more children, of whom four daughters reached adulthood, leaving no male heirs to continue the print shop. As it ran down, he wrote his first novel at the age of 51 and joined the admired writers of his day. Leading acquaintances included Samuel Johnson and Sarah Fielding, the physician and Behmenist George Cheyne, and the theologian and writer William Law, whose books he printed. At Law's request, Richardson printed some poems by John Byrom. In literature, he rivalled Henry Fielding; the two responded to each other's literary styles.