Samuel Richardson

Clarissa: The History of a Young Lady is regency bestseller, the classic of English literature. It tells the tragic story of a young woman, whose quest for virtue is continually thwarted by her family. The Harlowes are a recently wealthy family whose preoccupation with increasing their standing in society leads to obsessive control of their daughter, Clarissa, who runs away from home to find love and happiness. However things start turning south soon.

A tale of seduction and "Virtue Rewarded", this early epistolary novel tells of the maidservant Pamela, abducted and abusesd by her master before she eventually falls in love with him.Although Pamela was a bestseller and became hugely influential, it caused a scandal on its publication in 1740; not for the plotline of kidnap and attempted rape, but for Richardson''s idea that social and class roles could be overcome by morality and love.

Editor: Sheridan W. Baker, Jr.

Samuel Richardsons "Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded" emerges as a pioneering work in the epistolary novel genre, portraying the trials of its heroine, Pamela Andrews. Crafted in 1740, the narrative unfolds through a series of letters that reveal Pamelas struggle to preserve her virtue against the advances of her master, Mr. B. The rich psychological depth and moral clarity of RichardsonAos prose reflect the complexities of human desire and virtue, positioned against the backdrop of early 18th-century English societys constraints on class and gender. The novels innovative structure not only engages readers emotionally but also serves as a social commentary, addressing issues of morality, class dynamics, and the pursuit of virtue in a rapidly changing world. Richardson, a master printer turned novelist, was profoundly influenced by his own experiences and the evolving cultural landscape of 18th-century England. His upbringing and deep engagement with the emerging middle-class values informed his portrayal of virtue and morality. As a keen observer of social relations, Richardsons intention was to illuminate the struggle of women for autonomy, making Pamela not merely a tale of seduction and virtue, but a reflection on societal norms governing gender roles. "Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded" is a must-read for anyone interested in the evolution of the novel as a literary form, as well as the interplay between morality and social structure. Richardsons groundbreaking work resonates with contemporary issues of gender, ethics, and personal agency, inviting readers to reflect on the enduring relevance of virtue in our own lives.

E-artnow presents to you the anthology of Regency Classics, the Samuel Richardson edition. This volume includes his complete novels, including: Pamela ClarissaSir Charles Grandison "Clarissa: The History of a Young Lady" is regency bestseller, the classic of English literature.It tells the tragic story of a young woman, whose quest for virtue is continually thwarted by her family. The Harlowes are a recently wealthy family whose preoccupation with increasing their standing in society leads to obsessive control of their daughter, Clarissa, who runs away from home to find love and happiness. However things start turning south soon.A best-seller of its time, "Pamela" tells the story of a fifteen-year-old maidservant named Pamela Andrews, whose employer, Mr. B, a wealthy landowner, makes unwanted and inappropriate advances towards her after the death of his mother. Pamela was an early commentary on domestic violence and brought into question the dynamic line between male aggression and a contemporary view of love. Moreover, Pamela, despite the controversies, was able to shed light on social issues that transcended the novel for the time such as gender roles, early false-imprisonment, and class barriers present in the eighteenth century.The novel "Sir Charles Grandison" begins with the character of Harriet Byron leaving the house of her uncle, George Selby, to visit Mr. and Mrs. Reeves, her cousins, in London. She is an orphan who was educated by her grandparents, and, though she lacks parents, she is heir to a fortune of fifteen thousand pounds, which causes many suitors to pursue her. In London, she is pursued by three suitors: Mr. Greville, Mr. Fenwick, and Mr. Orme. This courtship is followed by more suitors: Mr. Fowler, Sir Rowland Meredith, and Sir Hargrave Pollexfen. The final one, Pollexfen, pursues Byron vigorously, which causes her to criticise him over a lack of morals and decency of character. However, Pollexfen does not end his pursuits of Byron until she explains that she could never receive his visits again. Pollexfen, unwilling to be without Byron, decides to kidnap her while she attended a masquerade ball at the Haymarket. Samuel Richardson (1689-1761) was a beloved English writer, extremely popular in the time of Regency. He is best known for his novels: Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded (1740), Clarissa: Or the History of a Young Lady (1748) and The History of Sir Charles Grandison (1753).

A best-seller of its time, "Pamela" tells the story of a fifteen-year-old maidservant named Pamela Andrews, whose employer, Mr. B, a wealthy landowner, makes unwanted and inappropriate advances towards her after the death of his mother. Pamela was an early commentary on domestic violence and brought into question the dynamic line between male aggression and a contemporary view of love. Moreover, Pamela, despite the controversies, was able to shed light on social issues that transcended the novel for the time such as gender roles, early false-imprisonment, and class barriers present in the eighteenth century.

Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded by Samuel Richardson Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded is an epistolary novel first published in 1740 by English writer Samuel Richardson. Considered one of the first true English novels, it serves as Richardsons version of conduct literature about marriage.Pamela tells the story of a fifteen-year-old maidservant named Pamela Andrews, whose employer, Mr. B, a wealthy landowner, makes unwanted and inappropriate advances towards her after the death of his mother. Pamela strives to reconcile her strong religious training with her desire for the approval of her employer in a series of letters and, later in the novel, journal entries all addressed to her impoverished parents. After various unsuccessful attempts at seduction, a series of sexual assaults, and an extended period of kidnapping, the rakish Mr. B eventually reforms and makes Pamela a sincere proposal of marriage. In the novels second part Pamela marries Mr. B and tries to acclimatise to her new position in upper-class society.The full title, Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded, makes plain Richardsons moral purpose. A best-seller of its time, Pamela was widely read but was also criticised for its perceived licentiousness and disregard for class barriers. Furthermore, Pamela was an early commentary on domestic violence and brought into question the dynamic line between male aggression and a contemporary view of love.Moreover, Pamela, despite the controversies, was able to shed light on social issues that transcended the novel for the time such as gender roles, early false-imprisonment, and class barriers present in the eighteenth century. The action of the novel is told through letters and journal entries from Pamela to her parents.Richardson highlights a theme of naivety, illustrated through the eyes of Pamela. Richardson paints Pamela herself as innocent and meek to further contribute to the theme of her being short-sighted to emphasize the ideas of childhood innocence and naivety.

"Pamela under the Notion of being a Virtuous Modest Girl will be introduced into all Familes,and when she gets there, what Scenes does she represent? Why a fine young Gentleman endeavouring to debauch a beautiful young Girl of Sixteen."Pamela Censured, 1741.One of the most spectacular successes of the burgeoning literary marketplace of eighteeent-century London, Pamela also marked a defining moment in the emergence of the modern novel. In the words of one contemporary, it divided the world ''into two different Parties, Pamelists and Antipamelists'', even eclipsing the sensational factional politics of the day.Preached up for its morality, and denounced as pornography in disguise, it vividly describes a young servant''s long resistance to the attempts of her predatory master to seduce her.Written in the voice of its low-born heroine, but by a printer who fifteen years earlier had narrowly escaped imprisonment for the seditious output of his press, Pamela is not only a work of pioneering psychological complexity, but also a compelling and provocative study of power and its abuse.Based on the original text of 1740, from which Richardson later retreated in a series of defensive revisions, this edition makes available the version of Pamela that aroused such widespread controversy on its first appearance.

The "Regency Romance Classics Ai Samuel Richardson Collection" showcases the pioneering works of Samuel Richardson, a pivotal figure in the evolution of the English novel. This collection brings together his seminal novels, characterized by their epistolary form and intricate character examinations. Richardson deftly explores themes of virtue, moral complexity, and the struggles of society, all set against the backdrop of the Regency eras social mores. His writing style, imbued with psychological depth and emotional intensity, allows readers to engage intimately with the characters dilemmas and desires, making the narratives both compelling and reflective of the human condition. Samuel Richardson (1689-1761) was not merely an author but a craftsman of culture, and his background as a printer deeply influenced his literary creations. His fascination with letters and communication in an increasingly evolving society provided a framework for his exploration of individual agency against societal constraints. Richardsons works emerged during a critical juncture in literary history when the novel began to establish itself as a serious form capable of addressing complex social issues. This collection is recommended for readers intrigued by early modern literature, the evolution of romance in fiction, or the intricacies of human relationships. With Richardsons works, one can appreciate the roots of modern narrative styles while enjoying timeless themes that resonate even today.In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:- A comprehensive Introduction outlines these selected works unifying features, themes, or stylistic evolutions.- The Author Biography highlights personal milestones and literary influences that shape the entire body of writing.- A Historical Context section situates the works in their broader erasocial currents, cultural trends, and key events that underpin their creation.- A concise Synopsis (Selection) offers an accessible overview of the included texts, helping readers navigate plotlines and main ideas without revealing critical twists.- A unified Analysis examines recurring motifs and stylistic hallmarks across the collection, tying the stories together while spotlighting the different works strengths.- Reflection questions inspire deeper contemplation of the authors overarching message, inviting readers to draw connections among different texts and relate them to modern contexts.- Lastly, our handpicked Memorable Quotes distill pivotal lines and turning points, serving as touchstones for the collections central themes.

"The genius of Richardsons narration is not simply the innovative use of epistolary fiction but also the subtlety with which he unfolds the dark tragedy of Clarissas fatal attraction to Lovelace." Robert McCrum"O Richardson! In spite of ourselves we play a role in your works, we take part in your conversations, we approve, we blame, we marvel" Denis Diderot"No one, in any language, has ever written a novel that equals or even approaches Clarissa". Jean-Jacques RousseauPressured 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. Its rich ambiguities our sense of Clarissas scrupulous virtue tinged with intimations of her capacity for self-deception in matters of sex; the wicked and amusing faces of Lovelace, who must be easily the most charming villain in English literature give the story extraordinary psychological momentum.

Fifteen-year-old Pamela Andrews, alone and unprotected, is relentlessly pursued by her dead mistress's son. Although she is attracted to young Mr B., she holds out against his demands and threats of abduction and rape, determined to defend her virginity and abide by her own moral standards. Psychologically acute in its investigations of sex, freedom and power, Richardson's first novel caused a sensation when it was first published, with its depiction of a servant heroine who dares to assert herself. Richly comic and full of lively scenes and descriptions, Pamela contains a diverse cast of characters, ranging from the vulgar and malevolent Mrs Jewkes to the aggressive but awkward country squire who serves this unusual love story as both its villain and its hero.

Pamela" usci tra 1740 e 1741 e ottenne subito uno straordinario successo di pubblico in Inghilterra e nei paesi europei nei quali nel giro di un paio d'anni fu rapidamente tradotto: persino Goldoni ne trasse l'argomento per una fortunata commedia. Cuore del romanzo sono le vicende di una cameriera sedicenne, di grande bellezza e ancora piu grande virtu, che resiste ai tentativi di seduzione del proprio padrone, del quale pure e sinceramente innamorata, fino a riuscire a condurlo al matrimonio. Una trama di sconvolgente novita per l'epoca, con una protagonista donna, di umile condizione sociale, e per di piu impegnata in una battaglia per affermare la parita dei sessi in materia di etica sessuale. Un romanzo che appare ancora oggi di interesse per la narrazione avvincente e ricca di suspense, per la minuziosa descrizione della vita quotidiana settecentesca, ma soprattutto per la finezza dell'analisi psicologica. Richardson rappresenta infatti con vivacita e sottigliezza rare le emozioni della protagonista e trova nella nuova forma del romanzo epistolare il veicolo piu adatto per l'espressione di quel "sentimento" che il Settecento, il Secolo dei Lumi, andava proprio allora scoprendo.