Clarissa: Preface, Hints of Prefaces, and Postscript

"Clarissa: Preface, Hints of Prefaces, and Postscript" by Samuel Richardson is a pivotal novel written in the mid-18th century. This comprehensive work presents a moral and psychological exploration of its characters, set within a narrative structured as a series of letters. At its core, it follows the harrowing story of Clarissa Harlowe, a young woman whose struggles against societal expectations and personal tribulations reveal deeper themes of virtue, honor, and the consequences of moral failings. The opening of this work provides context for the narrative and outlines Richardson's intent and approach. It details the dual correspondence between two virtuous young women and two libertine gentlemen, setting the stage for the ensuing moral conflicts. Clarissa's character is presented as a paragon of virtue under siege, with her life dictated by both familial expectations and the advances of a libertine suitor, Lovelace. The narrative also hints at the broader themes of the book, such as the importance of moral integrity and the dangers of choosing superficial charms over substantial virtue in romantic pursuits. Through this, Richardson positions Clarissa's tale not just as a romance but as a tragic cautionary tale that ultimately serves didactic purposes for readers. (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.