Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 133: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained
Clarissa writes to Anna Howe, expressing deep concern over Anna's disobedience to her mother.
What happens
Clarissa writes to Anna Howe, expressing deep concern over Anna's disobedience to her mother. She argues that filial duty is paramount and that Anna's rebellious actions, though motivated by friendship, are unjustifiable. Clarissa reflects on her own fallen state as a cautionary example, emphasizing the need for parental vigilance over daughters, especially between ages sixteen and twenty-one. She gently rebukes Anna for criticizing her parents' past conduct and urges submission to maternal authority.
Themes in this chapter
Family Obligation and Rebellion
Clarissa argues that filial duty is prior to all other duties and condemns Anna's rebellious conduct as a dangerous precedent.
Female Agency and Virtue
Clarissa uses her own fall to illustrate the necessity of parental vigilance for young women, linking virtue to obedience.
Friendship and Loyalty
Clarissa's admonition is framed as an act of disinterested friendship, even at the cost of losing her only comfort.
Characters to notice
- Clarissa Harlowe
Writes to Anna Howe, admonishing her for disobeying her mother and using her own misfortune as a warning.
- Anna Howe
Rebuked by Clarissa for her 'sullens,' tearing a letter from her mother's hands, and refusing to see a suitor out of spite.
- Mrs. Howe
Anna's mother, whose authority Clarissa defends, noting her past good opinion of Clarissa and her right to be watchful.
- Mr. Howe
Deceased father of Anna; Clarissa insists his memory should be revered and criticizes Anna for referencing parental conflicts.
Key passages
“The mind that can glory in being capable of so noble, so firm, so unshaken friendship, as that of my dear Miss Howe; a friendship which no casualty or distress can lessen, but which increases with the misfortunes of its friend—such a mind must be above taking amiss the well-meant admonitions of that distinguished friend.”
A person capable of such steadfast friendship will not be offended by sincere advice from that friend.
Clarissa justifies her rebuke as a sign of true friendship.
“At every age on this side matrimony (for then we come under another sort of protection, though that is far from abrogating the filial duty) it will be found, that the wings of our parents are our most necessary and most effectual safeguard from the vultures, the hawks, the kites, and other villainous birds of prey, that hover over us with a view to seize and destroy us the first time we are caught wandering out of the eye or care of our watchful and natural guardians and protectors.”
Until marriage, a daughter's best protection from predatory men is her parents' watchful care.
Clarissa uses a metaphor of birds of prey to warn against straying from parental guidance.
“Your mother told you, with great truth, that you provoked her to this harshness; and it was a great condescension in her (and not taken notice of by you as it deserved) to say that she was sorry for it.”
Your mother was right that you provoked her, and she was gracious to apologize afterward.
Clarissa defends Mrs. Howe's actions and criticizes Anna's lack of gratitude.