# Letter 14: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Clarissa writes to Anna Howe in increasing distress, revealing that her family is pressuring her to accept Mr. Solmes and may fix a day for her compliance. She notes that her sister Arabella has joined her brother James in urging an absolute deadline, threatening forfeiture of her fortune and their love. Clarissa learns of a signed pact among her family to enforce their will, and hears worse reports about Mr. Lovelace from Betty Barnes. She feels entangled, forced to correspond with Lovelace for her family's sake, yet resolute in her refusal to marry Solmes.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Agency and Virtue

Clarissa asserts her determination to resist a forced marriage, emphasizing that gentle spirits can become immovable when provoked.

### Family Obligation and Rebellion

Clarissa is torn between family duty and her own will, as her family binds themselves by a signed paper to enforce the Solmes match.

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Clarissa is forced to correspond with Lovelace for her family's sake, despite the heinous reports about him, highlighting the gap between appearance and truth.

## Character check-ins

### Clarissa Harlowe

Expresses increasing apprehensions and determination against being forced to marry Solmes.

### Anna Howe

Recipient of Clarissa's letter; thanked for her kind expedition.

### Arabella Harlowe

Urges in full assembly that an absolute day be given for Clarissa's compliance, acting in concert with James.

### James Harlowe Jr.

Has confederated the family against Clarissa and is pushing the Solmes match.

### Mr. Solmes

The suitor Clarissa is being forced to accept; she expresses hatred for him in that light.

### Robert Lovelace

Subject of new, heinous reports; Clarissa feels entangled in corresponding with him for her family's sake.

## Key lines

> I am in danger of having a day fixed, and antipathy taken for bashfulness.

Clarissa fears her family will set a wedding date, mistaking her strong aversion for mere shyness.

_Highlights the pressure and misunderstanding Clarissa faces from her family._

> How impolitic in them all, to join two people in one interest, whom they wish forever to keep asunder!

Clarissa observes that her family's actions ironically unite her and Lovelace in opposition, even though they want to keep them apart.

_Reflects Clarissa's insight into the counterproductive nature of her family's coercion._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-14-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters