Language In Clarissa, Evelina And Pride And Prejudice

had she been "taken off" suddenly, she would never have
been "absolutely destitute of a will" (L507 1412). Her
"will" is italicized, showing a deliberateness on the
part of Richardson and his heroine to acknowledge the
multinomial nature of the world the blurred meanings that
occur when language and culture overlap. Clarissa proves
throughout the novel that she is aware and capable of
using language to her advantage.
Mona Scheuermann points out that Clarissa's use of
legal language is "remarkable" and that perhaps
Richardson just "lost sight of the age and status of his
heroine" (73) . Clarissa' s legal language accounts for
her dealings with the "unconformity" of her grandfather's
will, as well as the influence of strict settlement and
wills on her brother and the rest of the family. The
only language they want to understand is legal. Clarissa
understands them, for she makes her father executor of
her will rather than her brother and/or sister, knowing
that should they survive James Harlowe, Sr., then all
will devolve to them by "virtue of his favour and
indulgence, as the circumstances of things with regard to
marriage settlements of otherwise may require" (L507
1413-1414). She knows also her Uncle John had been upset
that she was willed the family portraits by Grandfather