# Letter 146: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Clarissa writes to Anna Howe in deep despair, revealing that she has received a letter from her sister Arabella that includes a father's curse. She feels her heart is broken and believes the curse extends beyond this life, urging Anna to shun and avoid corresponding with her as she feels utterly devoted to ruin.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family Obligation and Rebellion

Clarissa's anguish over her father's curse highlights the severe familial condemnation she faces for her actions.

### Suffering and Redemption

Clarissa's broken heart and despondency reflect her profound suffering, with no hope of redemption in sight.

## Character check-ins

### Clarissa Harlowe

Writes in deep despondency, feeling broken by a father's curse and her sister's cruel letter.

### Anna Howe

Clarissa's only friend, whom she urges to shun and avoid corresponding with her.

### Arabella Harlowe

Sent the unrelenting letter that provoked Clarissa's despair, containing the father's curse.

## Key lines

> O my best, my only friend! Now indeed is my heart broken! It has received a blow it never will recover.

Clarissa declares to Anna that her heart is shattered beyond repair.

_Expresses the depth of Clarissa's emotional devastation._

> I have, at last, a letter from my unrelenting sister. Would to Heaven I had not provoked it by my second letter to my aunt Hervey!

Clarissa regrets writing to her aunt, which prompted a harsh letter from her sister.

_Shows Clarissa's self-blame and the chain of correspondence leading to her distress._

> The curse extends to the life beyond this.

Clarissa believes her father's curse affects her eternal soul.

_Highlights the religious and spiritual weight of the curse._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-146-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters