Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 125: Miss Clarissa Harlowe explained
Clarissa and Lovelace discuss possible living arrangements and servants.
What happens
Clarissa and Lovelace discuss possible living arrangements and servants. Lovelace offers to fetch her maid Hannah or Mrs. Norton, but Clarissa hesitates, fearing to embroil others with her family. She considers London but is wary of Lovelace's motives, noting his shifting character and her own isolation.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Clarissa and Lovelace watch each other's eyes, each suspecting hidden motives; Clarissa fears his seeming generosity may mask darker designs.
Female Agency and Virtue
Clarissa struggles to assert her own choices about where to live and whom to trust, while navigating societal constraints and her own moral compass.
Characters to notice
- Clarissa Harlowe
Clarissa deliberates over living arrangements and Lovelace's proposals, expressing distrust and a sense of vulnerability.
- Robert Lovelace
Lovelace offers to fetch Hannah or Mrs. Norton, and discusses London, but Clarissa suspects his motives and watches his eyes for deceit.
- Anna Howe
Clarissa mentions Anna's offer to send Hannah and notes Mrs. Howe's displeasure.
- Mrs. Judith Norton
Lovelace proposes fetching Mrs. Norton to attend Clarissa, but Clarissa fears embroiling her with the family.
- Hannah Burton
Clarissa hopes Anna will send Hannah to serve her, but worries about obstacles.
Key passages
“We are both great watchers of each other's eyes; and, indeed, seem to be more than half afraid of each other.”
Clarissa notes that she and Lovelace constantly scrutinize each other's expressions, indicating mutual distrust.
Highlights the theme of deception and appearance vs. reality.
“But after such generous motions from him, I really think it a little barbarous to act and behave as if I thought him capable of the blackest and most ungrateful baseness.”
Clarissa feels guilty for suspecting Lovelace of evil intentions despite his seemingly kind offers.
Reflects Clarissa's internal conflict between trust and suspicion.