Free Download
Clarissa, Volume 1
Clarissa, Volume 1
or The History Of A Young Lady
Clarissa Harlowe, the tragic heroine of Clarissa, is a beautiful and virtuous young lady whose family has become very wealthy only in recent years and is now eager to become part of the aristocracy by acquiring estates and titles through advantageous pairings. Clarissa’s relatives attempt to force her to marry a rich but heartless man (Roger Solmes) against her will and, more importantly, against her own sense of virtue. Desperate to remain free, she is tricked by a young gentleman of her acquaintance, Lovelace, into escaping with him. However, she refuses to marry him, longing--unusual for a girl in her time--to live by herself in peace. (Summary by Wikipedia)
Book Excerpt
resolves to spare her. Pride
and policy his motives, and not principle. Ingenuous reflections on
his own vicious disposition. He had been a rogue, he says, had he
been a plough-boy. Resolves on an act of generosity for his Rosebud,
by way of atonement, as he calls it, for some of his bad actions; and
for other reasons which appear in the sequel.
LETTER XXXV. From the same.-- His artful contrivances and dealings with Joseph Leman. His revenge and his love uppermost by turns. If the latter succeeds not, he vows that the Harlowes shall feel the former, although for it he become an exile from his country forever. He will throw himself into Clarissa's presence in the woodhouse. If he thought he had no prospect of her favour, he would attempt to carry her off: that, he says, would be a rape worthy of a Jupiter. The arts he is resolved to practise when he sees her, in order to engage her future reliance upon his honour.
LETTER XXXVI. Clarissa to Miss Howe.-- Lovelace, in disguise, surprises her in
Editor's choice
(view all)
Popular books in Fiction and Literature
More books by Samuel Richardson
(view all)
Readers reviews
0.0
LoginSign up
Be the first to review this book
-itok=vcKIB5v1.jpg)