Title
Clarissa, or The History of a Young Lady (Penguin Classics),New
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Oh thou savagehearted monster! What work hast thou made in one guilty hour, for a whole age of repentance!'Pressured by her unscrupulous family to marry a wealthy man she detests, the young Clarissa Harlowe is tricked into fleeing with the witty and debonair Robert Lovelace and places herself under his protection. Lovelace, however, proves himself to be an untrustworthy rake whose vague promises of marriage are accompanied by unwelcome and increasingly brutal sexual advances. And yet, Clarissa finds his charm alluring, her scrupulous sense of virtue tinged with unconfessed desire. Told through a complex series of interweaving letters, Clarissa is a richly ambiguous study of a fatally attracted couple and a work of astonishing power and immediacy. A huge success when it first appeared in 1747, and translated into French and German, it remains one of the greatest of all European novels.In his introduction, Angus Ross examines characterization, the epistolary style, the role of the family and the position of women in Clarissa. This edition also includes a chronology, suggestions for further reading, tables of letters, notes, a glossary and an appendix on the music for the 'Ode to Wisdom.'For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the Englishspeaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as uptodate translations by awardwinning translators.
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'Clarissa, or The History of a Young Lady'? A: The main theme of 'Clarissa' revolves around the struggles of a young woman, Clarissa Harlowe, as she navigates the pressures of family expectations, love, and personal virtue in a patriarchal society.
- Q: Who is the author of 'Clarissa' and when was it published? A: The author of 'Clarissa' is Samuel Richardson, and it was originally published in 1747, with this particular edition being a reprint from February 4, 1986.
- Q: What is the format of the book? A: This edition of 'Clarissa, or The History of a Young Lady' is available in paperback format.
- Q: How many pages does 'Clarissa' have? A: The book contains 1534 pages, offering an expansive narrative that delves deeply into the characters and themes.
- Q: Is this edition of 'Clarissa' annotated? A: Yes, this edition includes annotations, an introduction by Angus Ross, a chronology, suggestions for further reading, tables of letters, notes, a glossary, and an appendix on the music for the 'Ode to Wisdom'.
- Q: What kind of literary style is used in 'Clarissa'? A: The novel is written in an epistolary style, consisting of a series of letters that reveal the inner thoughts and emotions of the characters.
- Q: What age group is 'Clarissa' suitable for? A: 'Clarissa' is generally suitable for mature readers, as it addresses complex themes and contains some adult content. It is often studied in high school and college literature courses.
- Q: How does 'Clarissa' portray the role of women? A: The novel critically examines the limited roles available to women in the 18th century, highlighting issues of autonomy, social expectations, and the consequences of defiance against patriarchal norms.
- Q: Can 'Clarissa' be read independently, or does it require prior knowledge of other works? A: 'Clarissa' can be read independently as a standalone novel, but familiarity with the social context of the time may enhance the reading experience.
- Q: What makes 'Clarissa' a significant work in classic literature? A: 'Clarissa' is regarded as one of the greatest European novels due to its deep character exploration, innovative narrative structure, and its enduring commentary on society and human relationships.