Includes index.

A selection of criticism on the writings of Samuel Richardson, arranged in chronological order of publication.
One of the chief founders of the modern novel, Samuel Richardson aimed to "introduce a new species of writing". Pamela, published in 1739-41 to wide critical acclaim, recounts through letters to evolving relationship between a virtuous servant girl and her lustful master. Generally regarded as the first English novel, Pamela explores with new depth and subtlety the inner workings of human consciousness. Richardson's voluminous master work Clarissa (1744-49) is a compelling study of the fatal struggle between Clarissa, heroine of the Protestant Will, and her great opponent Lovelace. Together with Henry Fielding, Richardson was one of the two most influential novelists of the 18th century, a precursor to Austen, Eliot and James.
Among the contributors to this volume, Ian Watt discusses Richardson's epistolary technique and characterization: Martin Price examines the contest between Clarissa and Lovelace: Mark Kinkead-Weeks identifies Richardson's emphasis on the individual will: and Roy Roussel and Jina Politi analyze Pamela.