Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 100: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe explained
Anna Howe writes to Clarissa, expressing unwavering support and admiration for her friend's integrity despite the family's harsh treatment.
What happens
Anna Howe writes to Clarissa, expressing unwavering support and admiration for her friend's integrity despite the family's harsh treatment. She recounts a visit from Uncle Antony, who attempted to turn Mrs. Howe against Clarissa, leading to a prohibition on their correspondence. Anna defies this, vowing to continue writing. She advises Clarissa to consider marrying Lovelace if a good opportunity arises, or to secure her own estate. Anna offers financial assistance and arranges a new channel for their letters via Mr. Hickman. She also relays the family's reaction to Clarissa's flight, including a staged alarm by Joseph Leman, and warns Clarissa about Lovelace's potential duplicity.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Loyalty
Anna Howe's unwavering support for Clarissa, defying her mother's prohibition and offering financial help, exemplifies deep loyalty and friendship.
Family Obligation and Rebellion
Clarissa's family drives her to extreme measures, and Anna rebels against her mother's restrictions, highlighting the tension between familial duty and personal autonomy.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
The family's false narrative of Clarissa's flight and Joseph Leman's staged alarm illustrate the theme of deception and the gap between appearance and reality.
Characters to notice
- Anna Howe
Writes passionately in support of Clarissa, defying her mother's prohibition on correspondence and offering financial aid.
- Clarissa Harlowe
The recipient of the letter; praised for her noble character and integrity, and advised on how to handle Lovelace and her family.
- Mrs. Howe
Anna's mother, who after Uncle Antony's visit prohibits correspondence with Clarissa and becomes watchful and restrictive.
- Antony Harlowe
Visits Mrs. Howe to turn her against Clarissa, contributing to the family's harsh stance.
- Robert Lovelace
Referred to as 'the wretch' and 'plotting wretch'; Anna advises Clarissa to either marry him or escape his influence.
- Mr. Hickman
Intercedes with Mrs. Howe on Clarissa's behalf and arranges a new correspondence channel via a farmer named Filmer.
Key passages
“You are the same noble creature you ever were. Above disguise, above art, above attempting to extenuate a failing.”
Anna affirms that Clarissa remains honest and virtuous, never hiding or excusing her mistakes.
Anna's praise underscores Clarissa's integrity despite her family's accusations.
“I should think myself the unworthiest of creatures, could I be brought to slight a dear friend, and such a meritorious one, in her distress. I would die first—And so I told my mother.”
Anna declares she would rather die than abandon Clarissa in her time of need, and she has told her mother as much.
This shows Anna's fierce loyalty and defiance of her mother's prohibition.
“If I find it to be so, and that Hickman, in order to make a merit with me, is in the low plot, I will never bear him in my sight.”
Anna threatens to reject Mr. Hickman if she discovers he is colluding with her mother to pressure her into marriage.
Anna's suspicion reflects her distrust of manipulation, even from a suitor.