Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 136: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe explained
Anna Howe writes to Clarissa, explaining that her mother refuses to comply with Clarissa's condition to cease their correspondence.
What happens
Anna Howe writes to Clarissa, explaining that her mother refuses to comply with Clarissa's condition to cease their correspondence. Anna defends her decision to continue writing, arguing that the prohibition stems from the same spiteful minds that caused Clarissa's troubles. She also discusses her dynamic with Mr. Hickman, asserting her need to maintain power in their relationship.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Loyalty
Anna insists on continuing her correspondence with Clarissa out of loyalty, despite her mother's prohibition, prioritizing their friendship over obedience.
Family Obligation and Rebellion
Anna rebels against her mother's authority by choosing to maintain her friendship with Clarissa, challenging familial expectations.
Power and Manipulation
Anna discusses her deliberate exercise of power over Mr. Hickman, asserting that she must make him 'quake' to avoid being dominated herself.
Characters to notice
- Anna Howe
Anna writes to Clarissa, defending her decision to continue their correspondence despite her mother's prohibition, and reflects on her relationship with Mr. Hickman.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Clarissa is the recipient of Anna's letter, having proposed a condition to cease correspondence that Anna rejects.
- Mr. Hickman
Mr. Hickman is discussed by Anna, who describes his modest demeanor and her desire to maintain power over him.
- Mrs. Howe
Mrs. Howe refuses Clarissa's condition and renews her prohibition on the correspondence, siding with the Harlowes.
Key passages
“My mother will not comply with your condition, my dear. I hinted it to her, as from myself. But the Harlowes (excuse me) have got her entirely in with them.”
Anna informs Clarissa that her mother refuses to agree to Clarissa's request, as the Harlowes have influenced her.
Anna explains the failure of Clarissa's condition due to family interference.
“I will freely own, however, that I winced a little at first reading them. But I see that, on every re-perusal, I shall love and honour you still more, if possible, than before.”
Anna admits that Clarissa's reprimanding letters initially stung, but she grows to appreciate them more with each reading.
Anna reflects on her reaction to Clarissa's corrective letters.
“If I do not make Hickman quake now-and-then, he will endeavour to make me fear. All the animals in the creation are more or less in a state of hostility with each other.”
Anna argues that she must occasionally intimidate Mr. Hickman to prevent him from dominating her, comparing their relationship to natural animal hostility.
Anna justifies her treatment of Mr. Hickman using a metaphor of universal conflict.