Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 149: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained
Clarissa writes to Anna Howe on the morning of her departure for London, expressing comfort from Anna's letter but deep distress after receiving a violent letter from her sister.
What happens
Clarissa writes to Anna Howe on the morning of her departure for London, expressing comfort from Anna's letter but deep distress after receiving a violent letter from her sister. She has accepted Lovelace's declarations and is now more in his power than ever, though she feels unhinged and without resolution. Lovelace has offered marriage, but Clarissa hesitates due to lack of preparation and her overwhelming grief. She returns Anna's money, hoping to preserve her mother's favor, and asks for continued friendship.
Themes in this chapter
Female Agency and Virtue
Clarissa struggles with her lack of agency, having been forced to turn to Lovelace for protection, and her virtue is compromised by her vulnerable situation.
Friendship and Loyalty
Clarissa finds comfort in Anna Howe's friendship, calling it the 'medicine of life,' and relies on her loyalty as her only remaining support.
Characters to notice
- Clarissa Harlowe
Writes to Anna Howe, expressing comfort and deep dejection; she has accepted Lovelace's declarations and is setting out for London, feeling abandoned and without resolution.
- Anna Howe
Clarissa's faithful friend; her letter brings comfort, and Clarissa returns her money to preserve Mrs. Howe's favor.
- Robert Lovelace
Offers marriage and is regardful and tender; Clarissa is now more in his power after accepting his declarations.
- Arabella Harlowe
Sent a dreadful letter to Clarissa that caused her to faint and deepened her distress.
Key passages
“How sweetly do I experience the truth of the wise man’s observation, That a faithful friend is the medicine of life!”
Clarissa finds that a loyal friend is like a healing remedy for her troubles.
Clarissa expresses the comfort she receives from Anna's friendship.
“Abandoned thus of all my natural friends, of whose returning favour I have now no hopes, and only you to pity me, and you restrained, as I may say, I have been forced to turn my desolate heart to such protection as I could find.”
Having lost all hope of reconciliation with her family and with only Anna to pity her, Clarissa has had to seek protection wherever she can, even from Lovelace.
Clarissa explains her desperate situation and why she has accepted Lovelace's protection.