Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 135: Miss Clarissa Harlowe explained
Clarissa writes to Anna about the prohibition on their correspondence, expressing her need to write and her desire to continue under certain conditions.
What happens
Clarissa writes to Anna about the prohibition on their correspondence, expressing her need to write and her desire to continue under certain conditions. She discusses the possibility of reconciling with her family and the risks of revealing her story, and proposes that Anna's mother might oversee their letters in confidence. She also mentions her planned move to town and her fear that her situation may lead her into evasions from the truth.
Themes in this chapter
Female Agency and Virtue
Clarissa asserts her need to write and reflect on her actions, seeking to maintain her moral integrity despite her constrained circumstances.
Friendship and Loyalty
Clarissa values Anna's opinion and seeks to preserve their correspondence as a source of support and guidance.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Clarissa fears being drawn into evasions and 'curvings from the plain simple truth' due to her unhappy situation.
Characters to notice
- Clarissa Harlowe
Author of the letter; reflects on her need to write, her strained situation, and her desire to preserve Anna's good opinion.
- Anna Howe
Recipient of the letter; Clarissa addresses her directly and discusses their correspondence.
- Mr. Hickman
Mentioned as approving of the correspondence and providing cover for letters.
- Mrs. Howe
Anna's mother; Clarissa proposes that she might oversee their correspondence in confidence.
- Robert Lovelace
Referenced as the man Clarissa left with; she fears his pride and possible indignity.
- James Harlowe Jr.
Mentioned as likely to triumph over Clarissa if she returns home.
Key passages
“I have now no other employment or diversion. And I must write on, although I were not to send it to anybody.”
Writing is my only occupation and comfort; I would continue even if I never sent my letters.
Clarissa expresses her deep need to write as a personal outlet.
“But when I set down what I will do, or what I have done, on this or that occasion; the resolution or action is before me either to be adhered to, withdrawn, or amended; and I have entered into compact with myself, as I may say; having given it under my own hand to improve, rather than to go backward, as I live longer.”
By writing down my intentions and actions, I can review and correct them, making a personal commitment to self-improvement.
Clarissa explains the moral and reflective value of writing.
“I fear, I very much fear, that my unhappy situation will draw me in to being guilty of evasion, of little affectations, and of curvings from the plain simple truth which I was wont to delight in, and prefer to every other consideration.”
I am deeply afraid that my difficult circumstances will lead me to be deceitful and stray from the honesty I once valued.
Clarissa worries that her predicament may corrupt her integrity.