Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 160: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained
Clarissa writes to Anna Howe describing a relatively pleasant Sunday spent with Mr.
What happens
Clarissa writes to Anna Howe describing a relatively pleasant Sunday spent with Mr. Lovelace, including attending church and dining with the widow and her nieces. She praises Lovelace's good behavior and serious discourse, though she remains cautious about his constancy. She reflects on her own tendency to judge others harshly and resolves to be more charitable. The letter ends with her displeasure at being introduced to Miss Partington and being obliged to attend Lovelace's collation, which she anticipates with dread.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Clarissa struggles to reconcile Lovelace's good behavior with her doubts about his sincerity, highlighting the tension between outward appearances and inner truth.
Female Agency and Virtue
Clarissa exercises moral judgment and self-reflection, asserting her agency in evaluating Lovelace's character while navigating societal expectations.
Characters to notice
- Clarissa Harlowe
Narrates her day with Lovelace, expressing cautious optimism about his behavior while lamenting her family situation.
- Robert Lovelace
Behaves well throughout the day, attending church with Clarissa and engaging in serious discourse, though he warns his vivacity may return.
- Anna Howe
Recipient of Clarissa's letter; Clarissa acknowledges Anna's previous charges about her feelings for Lovelace.
- Miss Partington
Introduced to Clarissa against her wishes, causing displeasure.
Key passages
“I am willing, says she, to have hopes of him: but am so unable to know how to depend upon his seriousness for an hour together, that all my favourable accounts of him in this respect must be taken with allowance.”
Clarissa admits she wants to believe in Lovelace's reform but cannot trust his seriousness to last, so her praise must be qualified.
Clarissa's cautious optimism about Lovelace's behavior.
“I cannot help blaming myself for my readiness to give severe censures where reputation is concerned.”
Clarissa reproaches herself for being too quick to judge others based on their reputation.
Clarissa's self-reflection on judging others.
“It is a difficult thing, I believe, sometimes, for a young creature that is able to deliberate with herself, to know when she loves, or when she hates: but I am resolved, as much as possible, to be determined both in my hatred and love by actions , as they make the man worthy or unworthy.”
Clarissa finds it hard to distinguish love from hate but resolves to judge people by their actions rather than feelings.
Clarissa's resolution to judge by actions.