Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 15: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe explained
Anna Howe writes to Clarissa expressing her dismay at the suitors proposed by the Harlowe family, particularly Solmes, and analyzes the motivations behind Arabella's hostility, revealing that Arabella still loves Lovelace and is driven by j
What happens
Anna Howe writes to Clarissa expressing her dismay at the suitors proposed by the Harlowe family, particularly Solmes, and analyzes the motivations behind Arabella's hostility, revealing that Arabella still loves Lovelace and is driven by jealousy and revenge. Anna advises Clarissa to retain control of her grandfather's estate and warns of the family's determination to force the marriage.
Themes in this chapter
Family Obligation and Rebellion
Anna discusses the pressure on Clarissa to obey her family's authority and marry Solmes, and the potential need for rebellion to preserve her autonomy.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Anna uncovers Arabella's hidden love for Lovelace and the secret motives behind her unsisterly behavior, contrasting outward pride with inner jealousy.
Power and Manipulation
James and Arabella manipulate family perceptions and use their influence to control Clarissa's fate, while Anna advises Clarissa to retain her estate as a source of power.
Characters to notice
- Anna Howe
Writes a candid and supportive letter to Clarissa, analyzing family dynamics and offering advice.
- Clarissa Harlowe
The recipient of the letter, praised for her merit and warned about her family's schemes.
- Arabella Harlowe
Revealed to still love Lovelace and to be acting out of jealousy and revenge against Clarissa.
- James Harlowe Jr.
Described as having an ascendant influence over the family and being a slave to his own interest, working to ruin Clarissa.
- Mr. Solmes
The odious suitor proposed by the Harlowes, whom Clarissa is being pressured to marry.
- Robert Lovelace
Mentioned as the object of Arabella's love and Clarissa's suspected affection; praised for benevolence to tenants but criticized as a dangerous libertine.
Key passages
“Modesty, after all, perhaps has a concern in it; for how should they think that a niece or sister of theirs (I will not go higher, for fear of incurring your displeasure) should be an angel?”
Anna suggests that Clarissa's family cannot recognize her exceptional virtue because it exceeds their own standards.
Anna critiques the family's limited perspective and their inability to appreciate Clarissa's worth.
“Bell has a meanness in her very pride; that meanness rises with her pride, and goes hand in hand with it; and no one is so proud as Bell.”
Arabella's pride is intertwined with pettiness, making her the most arrogant of all.
Anna exposes the flaw in Arabella's character that drives her jealousy.
“Poisons and poniard have often been set to work by minds inflamed by disappointed love, and actuated by revenge.”
Disappointed love and revenge have driven people to extreme violence throughout history.
Anna warns of the dangerous consequences of Arabella's hidden passions.