Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 128: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe explained
Anna Howe writes to Clarissa, discussing the pressures from Clarissa's family and society for her to marry Lovelace, the dangers of delay, and her own mother's interference.
What happens
Anna Howe writes to Clarissa, discussing the pressures from Clarissa's family and society for her to marry Lovelace, the dangers of delay, and her own mother's interference. She analyzes Lovelace's character, advises Clarissa to consider marriage, and offers financial support. Anna also critiques Hickman's submissive courtship and reflects on the dynamics of power in relationships.
Themes in this chapter
Female Agency and Virtue
Anna advises Clarissa to assert her own choices regarding marriage, balancing family pressure with personal integrity.
Libertinism and Morality
Anna critiques Lovelace's libertine style and warns Clarissa about his manipulative behavior.
Class and Social Reputation
The letter highlights how Clarissa's reputation is at stake in the eyes of society and her family.
Characters to notice
- Anna Howe
Writes to Clarissa with advice and support, discussing family pressures and Lovelace's character.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Recipient of the letter; Anna advises her on marriage and offers financial help.
- Robert Lovelace
Discussed at length; Anna critiques his withholding of letters and his libertine style.
- Mr. Hickman
Anna compares his submissive courtship unfavorably to Lovelace's more dynamic approach.
- Antony Harlowe
Mentioned as spreading vile rumors about Clarissa and influencing Anna's mother.
- Hannah Burton
Unable to attend Clarissa due to illness; Anna offers her own servant Kitty instead.
Key passages
“D⸺n him, if he would marry the first princess on earth, if he but thought she balanced a minute in her choice of him , or of an emperor .”
Lovelace swore he would never marry even a princess if she hesitated even briefly between him and an emperor.
Anna quotes Lovelace to illustrate his pride and intolerance of any perceived slight.
“The longer the ceremony is delayed, the worse appearance it will have in the world’s eye.”
Delaying the marriage makes Clarissa look worse in public opinion.
Anna warns Clarissa that procrastination harms her reputation.
“I have concluded, that politeness, even to excess, is necessary on the men’s part, to bring us to listen to their first addresses, in order to induce us to bow our necks to a yoke so unequal.”
Men must be extremely polite at first to make women accept the unequal institution of marriage.
Anna reflects on the power dynamics in courtship.