Clarissa’s Accounts: Ephemeral History and the Eighteenth-Century Memorandum Book.

The article delves into the importance of memorandum books in Samuel Richardson's novel Clarissa, focusing on the protagonist's meticulous record-keeping for managing time and virtuous behavior. It explores how journal-keeping was viewed as a tool for self-improvement in the 18th century, drawing pa...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Eighteenth Century: Theory & Interpretation Vol. 64; no. 1/2; pp. 1 - 21
Autor principal: Yingst, Carlisle
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: University of Pennsylvania Press Spring/Summer2023
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Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:The article delves into the importance of memorandum books in Samuel Richardson's novel Clarissa, focusing on the protagonist's meticulous record-keeping for managing time and virtuous behavior. It explores how journal-keeping was viewed as a tool for self-improvement in the 18th century, drawing parallels between Clarissa's accounts and contemporary guides on time management and morality. The text also discusses the broader cultural context of memorandum books in the 18th century, emphasizing their role in documenting daily events and individual histories, despite their low status and satirical portrayals. Ultimately, it reflects on the significance of preserving ephemeral records as a means of capturing history and memory.