Genre
Epistolary novel
Setting and Context
England in the 18th century
Narrator and Point of View
The novel is narrated by each of the characters, in the form of their letters.
Tone and Mood
The tone is interesting; the mood is dramatic.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Clarissa Harlowe is the protagonist; Robert Lovelace is the antagonist.
Major Conflict
The major conflict of the novel occurs when Arabella rejects Robert Lovelace, despite his wealth and inherited land.
Climax
The climax of the story is reached when Lovelace rapes Clarissa, after he has drugged her.
Foreshadowing
Robert Lovelace's romantic interest in Clarissa is foreshadowed by the fact that Arabella rejects him.
Understatement
The role of parental control and struggle is understated throughout the novel.
Allusions
The story alludes to the tragedies of Clarissa even in letters that do not issue directly from her.
Imagery
The imagery of Clarissa's isolation is present in the novel.
Paradox
The fact that Clarissa is a young woman, yet is controlled by her parents is an example of paradox in the story.
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
The iron door is a metonym for Clarissa's lack of freedom.
Personification
N/A
