# Letter 136: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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