# Letter 123: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Clarissa writes to Anna Howe about her conversation with Lovelace, in which she resists his urgings to go to Lady Betty's, expresses her desire for independence and reconciliation with her family, and criticizes his libertine character and inconsistent politeness. Lovelace defends himself with scriptural allusions, revealing his uneasy relationship with religion, while Clarissa insists on his absence and her need to appear independent.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Agency and Virtue

Clarissa asserts her agency by insisting on independence and her right to refuse Lovelace's proposals, while maintaining her virtue and duty to her family.

### Libertinism and Morality

Lovelace's libertine character is contrasted with Clarissa's moral seriousness, as he reveals his discomfort with Scripture and his hope for easy repentance.

## Character check-ins

### Clarissa Harlowe

Clarissa asserts her desire for independence and reconciliation with her family, criticizes Lovelace's character, and insists on his absence.

### Robert Lovelace

Lovelace urges Clarissa to go to Lady Betty's, defends his character, and reveals his troubled relationship with Scripture.

### Anna Howe

Clarissa addresses this letter to Anna, confiding her thoughts and frustrations.

## Key lines

> How often, Mr. Lovelace, must I repeat, that I will not litigate with my father? Do you think that my unhappy circumstances will alter my notions of my own duty so far as I shall be enabled to perform it?

Clarissa insists she will not take legal action against her father, and that her difficult situation will not change her sense of duty.

_Clarissa reaffirms her commitment to filial duty despite her estrangement._

> O Madam, I have read the Bible, as a fine piece of ancient history—But as I hope to be saved, it has for some years past made me so uneasy, when I have popped upon some passages in it, that I have been forced to run to music or company to divert myself.

Lovelace admits that reading the Bible disturbs him so much that he seeks distraction in music or socializing.

_Lovelace reveals his discomfort with religious texts, highlighting his libertine nature._

## Links

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