Letter 11: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Female Agency and Virtue

  Clarissa asserts her own judgment and moral autonomy, rejecting the imputation of love and insisting on self-examination.

• Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

  Clarissa scrutinizes Lovelace's constrained politeness and hidden haughtiness, questioning the gap between his outward manner and inner character.

Characters to notice

• Clarissa Harlowe

  Defends herself against accusations of loving Lovelace, lists her objections to his character, and thanks Miss Howe for her candid friendship.

• Anna Howe

  Addressed as the recipient; Clarissa responds to her raillery and premonitions about Lovelace.

• Robert Lovelace

  Discussed as a man Clarissa prefers to Solmes but whom she does not love; she criticizes his morals, vanity, and constrained politeness.

• Mr. Solmes

  Mentioned as the man to whom Clarissa prefers Lovelace.

Key passages

• “I cannot own any of the glow, any of the throbs you mention.”

  I do not feel any romantic excitement or fluttering of the heart as you suggest.

  Clarissa denies Miss Howe's insinuation that she is in love.

• “I would not be in love with him, as it is called, for the world.”

  I would never allow myself to fall in love with him, as people use that term.

  Clarissa firmly rejects the idea of loving Lovelace.

• “His very politeness... appear to be constrained; and... something, at times, seems to be behind in his manner that is too studiously kept in.”

  Even his courtesy seems forced, and occasionally there is something hidden in his behavior that he deliberately suppresses.

  Clarissa perceives a lack of sincerity in Lovelace's polished demeanor.