Language In Clarissa, Evelina And Pride And Prejudice
Language In Clarissa, Evelina And Pride And Prejudice Language In Clarissa, Evelina And Pride And Prejudice
Cooper suggests that not all of a landowner's property was subject to strict settlement, and the tradition of dealing freely with one's own acquisitions and land survived in the eighteenth century (228). That the Harlowe family rejects entirely the idea of leaving any piece of property out of the hands of James, Jr., is testament to the over-zealous greed for land and title Richardson saw so clearly in society around him. The force of public opinion regarding settlement overpowers the traditional prerogative of Clarissa's grandfather to do as he pleases with his property. Clarissa inherits more than just realty from him. She receives his penchant for individuality and independent will. What is more, because written wills were private documents, her inheritance is a private act, and a surprise to everyone, including her family. Strict settlement was a public act, with everyone knowing the order of inheritance and the land and characters involved (Spring Law, Land and Family 146). This same private act visits public humiliation, not only on Clarissa, but also on the family. One of Anna Howe's first concerns is that Clarissa and her family are hurt by becoming the "subject of public talk," for it is "impossible but that whatever relates to a young lady, whose distinguished merits have
made her the public care, should engage everyone's attention" (L1 39). Clarissaf s inheritance restricts any filial imperative she may feel toward the "raising" of her family. One cannot discount her power even after she gives managerial dispensation for the dairy house to her father. Her brother's intuitive knowledge of her power contributes to his usurpation of his father's voice and power over the family. Letter 24 is an excellent example of how James gains control. In the letter, Clarissa reproduces for Anna a letter from James. It begins, "By your papa's and mama's command . . ." and ends ominously with, "If anything I have written appears severe or harsh, it is still in your power (but perhaps will not always be so) to remedy it . . ." (L24.1 120-121) . James attributes the restrictions spelled out for Clarissa in this letter to his mother and father, but Clarissa is quick to answer James, acknowledging his orders, his power (L 24.2 121) . Three letters later, Anna Howe also recognizes James's authority: "Your insolent brother, what has - he to do to control you" (L27 129). When James Harlowe, Sr., loses his parental voice and his patriarchal authority to this son, Clarissa must make her stand. Not only has the man who should have the guidance
- Page 53 and 54: settlement, a predicament Clarissa
- Page 55 and 56: life and conjectured within the pag
- Page 57 and 58: included in the compilation of the
- Page 59 and 60: The eighteenth-century reading publ
- Page 61 and 62: Clarissa's own will, framing the pl
- Page 63 and 64: to [the Solmes marriage settlement]
- Page 65 and 66: Grandfather Harlowe was one of many
- Page 67 and 68: a daughter or daughters, or in the
- Page 69 and 70: name, as a mark of her becoming his
- Page 71 and 72: other and uncles, and keeping her f
- Page 73 and 74: of this, a father often left most o
- Page 75 and 76: deference by every other person, wh
- Page 77 and 78: fits with legal developments outlin
- Page 79 and 80: Harlowe. Mr. Harlowe, Sr., should b
- Page 81 and 82: empowered as such to make all decis
- Page 83 and 84: politics of propertied power well i
- Page 85 and 86: Lovelace is proud, and Richardson r
- Page 87 and 88: een for some time extinct on failur
- Page 89 and 90: have found her less than an angel,
- Page 91 and 92: not yet use physical force, knowing
- Page 93 and 94: elating the story of the Marchiones
- Page 95 and 96: necessity to alter her whole Charac
- Page 97 and 98: you believe it?-And they are all de
- Page 99 and 100: The comic relief Richardson brings
- Page 101 and 102: Clarissa Harlowe found that the Bib
- Page 103: Conclusion A confluence of settleme
- Page 107 and 108: had she been "taken off" suddenly,
- Page 109 and 110: Clarissars physical imprisonment in
- Page 111 and 112: to function; and the heroine, Eveli
- Page 113 and 114: the eighteenth century. Virtuous da
- Page 115 and 116: Continent," though Maria's own life
- Page 117 and 118: egarding women's places in society.
- Page 119 and 120: Kristina Straub, Julia Epstein and
- Page 121 and 122: she married Charles Burney. The rep
- Page 123 and 124: The language of inheritance is dupl
- Page 125 and 126: accounting of the Evelyn family eve
- Page 127 and 128: Other than his education and a few
- Page 129 and 130: and from the upper classes if he is
- Page 131 and 132: Susan Greenfield points out that Vi
- Page 133 and 134: decision, and then leaves his charg
- Page 135 and 136: a position as the head of his famil
- Page 137 and 138: (Spring 8-38). Caroline Evelyn is a
- Page 139 and 140: always, willing to "obey custom rat
- Page 141 and 142: ecitation and finally believing the
- Page 143 and 144: ignorant of this one young woman, o
- Page 145 and 146: One cannot fathom the Evelyn family
- Page 147 and 148: more powerful than any apprehension
- Page 149 and 150: let alone Evelina. Willoughby and L
- Page 151 and 152: Burney chose a woman and one of amb
- Page 153 and 154: matter her inheritance; only patril
Cooper suggests that not all of a landowner's property<br />
was subject to strict settlement, and the tradition of<br />
dealing freely with one's own acquisitions and land<br />
survived in the eighteenth century (228). That the<br />
Harlowe family rejects entirely the idea of leaving any<br />
piece of property out of the hands of James, Jr., is<br />
testament to the over-zealous greed for land and title<br />
Richardson saw so clearly in society around him.<br />
The force of public opinion regarding settlement<br />
overpowers the traditional prerogative of <strong>Clarissa</strong>'s<br />
grandfather to do as he pleases with his property.<br />
<strong>Clarissa</strong> inherits more than just realty from him. She<br />
receives his penchant for individuality and independent<br />
will. What is more, because written wills were private<br />
documents, her inheritance is a private act, and a<br />
surprise to everyone, including her family. Strict<br />
settlement was a public act, with everyone knowing the<br />
order of inheritance and the land and characters involved<br />
(Spring Law, Land and Family 146). This same private act<br />
visits public humiliation, not only on <strong>Clarissa</strong>, but also<br />
on the family. One of Anna Howe's first concerns is that<br />
<strong>Clarissa</strong> and her family are hurt by becoming the "subject<br />
of public talk," for it is "impossible but that whatever<br />
relates to a young lady, whose distinguished merits have
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