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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does Clarissa write to, asking for help persuading her father not to force her to marry Solmes?

2. How does Clarissa escape while Lovelace is visiting Lord M?

3. Why does Lord M want Lovelace to have children with Clarissa?

4. Why does Lovelace swear to get revenge on Mr. Howe and James?

5. When Miss Howe finds out that Clarissa has run off with Lovelace, what does Miss Howe advise Clarissa to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Clarissa dislike Lovelace's party so much?

2. Why do you think Richardson decided to include Belton's death scene in the novel? What purpose does this scene serve?

3. Lovelace says he does not want to use force, but he doesn't know how to overcome Clarissa's will. What options does he have?

4. Do you think it is fair for Clarissa to have decided that because of the fire she will never marry Lovelace?

5. Why is Clarissa's response to Charlotte explaining why she can't marry Lovelace ironic?

6. How does the conversation between Belford and Hickman in the coffeehouse characterize Belford?

7. What do you think Lovelace means when he says he loves Clarissa? In other words, how do you think Lovelace would define love?

8. Do you think it's right for Miss Howe to wear mourning clothes, even though Clarissa told her not to? Why or why not?

9. Why do you think Lovelace can not maintain his feelings of repentance?

10. Do you agree with Lovelace's interpretation of Clarissa's letter about going to her "father's house"? Why or why not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The theme of will power is important in "Clarissa." Discuss the role of will power in relationship to (a) Clarissa, (b) Lovelace, and (c) any one of the other characters. Be sure to describe what kinds of goals each of these characters wants to achieve and how they demonstrate (or do not demonstrate) the ability to achieve their will.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast all of the death scenes in the novel. Considering just the death scenes, what message do you think the novel has for the reader?

Essay Topic 3

The role of women in eighteenth-century society is important in understanding what happens to Clarissa. Analyze how the social norms for young women determine what options are available to Clarissa at each point in the novel.

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