# Letter 135: Miss Clarissa Harlowe explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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will do, or what I have done, on this or that occasion; the resolution or action is before me either to be adhered to, withdrawn, or amended; and I have entered into compact with myself, as I may say; having given it under my own hand to improve, rather than to go backward, as I live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._

## Links

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