Clarissa Harlowe; or the History of a Young Lady — Volume 1

A novel written during the early 18th century. The tale delves into the life and struggles of the title character, Clarissa Harlowe, as she navigates the complexities of family dynamics and romantic entanglements amid societal expectations. The narrative is presented through a series of letters exchanged primarily between Clarissa and her close friend Anna Howe, highlighting their conversations about virtue, friendship, and the moral dilemmas that arise from mismatched intentions in relationships. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to a passionate conflict that deeply affects Clarissa's family, centering on the contentious relationship between Mr. Lovelace and her brother James Harlowe. Clarissa, who has grown increasingly isolated by her family's opposition to her affections, shares her worries over the treatment of Mr. Lovelace following a violent encounter with her brother. As she recounts her family's disdain for Lovelace, Clarissa meticulously details her efforts to maintain her dignity amidst forced courtship from her family's choice of suitors, particularly Mr. Solmes. The opening letters establish Clarissa's intelligence, sensitivity, and inner turmoil, foreshadowing her struggles against prevailing social attitudes and familial pressures as well as the constraints that threaten her autonomy as a young woman.