Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 163: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained
Clarissa writes to Anna Howe with deep regret, informing her that she can no longer correspond due to a direct prohibition from Mrs.
What happens
Clarissa writes to Anna Howe with deep regret, informing her that she can no longer correspond due to a direct prohibition from Mrs. Howe. She encloses Mrs. Howe's letter, which forbids further writing without permission, and urges Anna not to become inflamed or reveal the true reason for the cessation. Clarissa reassures Anna that her prospects are not bad, mentioning the respectful treatment at her lodging, Miss Martin's upcoming marriage, and Mr. Lovelace's promise not to introduce his friends without her consent, hoping Anna will cheerfully acquiesce for her sake.
Themes in this chapter
Female Agency and Virtue
Clarissa struggles to maintain her virtue and agency while obeying Mrs. Howe's prohibition, choosing honesty over feigned reasons to protect her friendship with Anna.
Family Obligation and Rebellion
Clarissa is caught between her duty to obey Mrs. Howe's commands and her desire to maintain her correspondence with Anna, highlighting the tension between familial obligation and personal loyalty.
Characters to notice
- Clarissa Harlowe
Writes to Anna with regret, forced to end correspondence due to Mrs. Howe's prohibition, yet tries to reassure Anna about her situation.
- Anna Howe
Recipient of the letter; Clarissa begs her not to be inflamed and to acquiesce to her mother's commands.
- Mrs. Howe
Sent a letter forbidding Clarissa from writing to Anna without her leave, threatening to make them both unhappy.
- Robert Lovelace
Mentioned as the recipient of Mrs. Howe's enclosed letter; Clarissa notes his promise not to introduce friends without her leave.
- Miss Martin
Respectfully asked Clarissa's opinion on silk patterns for her upcoming marriage to an eminent tradesman.
Key passages
“With infinite regret I am obliged to tell you, that I can no longer write to you, or receive letters from you.”
I am deeply sorry to inform you that I must stop writing to you and receiving your letters.
Clarissa opens with the painful news of the forced end to their correspondence.
“I choose, you see, rather to rely upon your discretion, than to feign reasons with which you would not be satisfied”
I prefer to trust your good judgment rather than invent excuses that you would see through.
Clarissa explains her decision to be honest with Anna about the prohibition rather than fabricate a story.
“These circumstances I mention (as you will suppose) that your kind heart may be at ease about me”
I tell you these details so that your generous nature can feel reassured about my situation.
Clarissa tries to comfort Anna by sharing positive aspects of her current living situation.