Richardson's 'Clarissa' and the Eighteenth-Century Reader

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The novel employs an epistolary format, presenting diverse perspectives without direct authorial intervention, allowing readers to interpret the narrative independently. Tom Keymer challenges recent critiques that view this openness as undermining the author's didactic intent, suggesting instead that Richardson encourages readers to engage actively with the text. Keymer analyzes the initial three installments of the novel, exploring its ethical and political implications while reflecting on contemporary reader responses to highlight Richardson's innovative storytelling techniques.