# Letter 147: To Miss Clarissa Harlowe explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Clarissa receives a harsh letter from her sister Arabella, who informs her that the family has disowned her, her father has cursed her, and she will not receive her clothes, books, money, or jewels. The family renounces her, and Arabella warns that she will likely be ruined by Lovelace.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family Obligation and Rebellion

Clarissa's elopement leads to her family's absolute renunciation, highlighting the conflict between filial duty and personal choice.

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Arabella accuses Clarissa of cunning and deception in her flight, contrasting the family's former pride in her with their current shame.

## Character check-ins

### Arabella Harlowe

Writes the cruel letter to Clarissa, expressing the family's renunciation and detailing the consequences of her elopement.

### Clarissa Harlowe

The recipient of the letter, now disowned and cursed by her family.

### James Harlowe Jr.

Vows revenge upon Lovelace and declares he will treat Clarissa like a common creature.

### Mr. John Harlowe

Renounces Clarissa forever.

### Antony Harlowe

Renounces Clarissa forever.

## Key lines

> My father, in the first agitations of his mind, on discovering your wicked, your shameful elopement, imprecated on his knees a fearful curse upon you.

Your father, upon learning of your elopement, was so agitated that he knelt and pronounced a terrible curse on you.

_Arabella reports the father's curse, a key element of the family's rejection._

> Your clothes will not be sent you. You seem, by leaving them behind you, to have been secure of them, whenever you demanded them, but perhaps you could think of nothing but meeting your fellow:—nothing but how to get off your forward self!

Your clothes will not be sent. You left them behind, perhaps expecting to get them later, but you were only thinking of meeting your lover and escaping.

_Arabella denies Clarissa's request for her belongings, accusing her of selfishness._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-147-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters