Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 177: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe explained
Anna Howe writes to Clarissa, expressing her determination to continue their correspondence despite her mother's objections.
What happens
Anna Howe writes to Clarissa, expressing her determination to continue their correspondence despite her mother's objections. She strongly advises Clarissa to leave Lovelace, revealing she has learned from a new informant that Lovelace is a villain with a history of betraying women, mentioning Miss Betterton and Miss Lockyer. Anna offers to sound Clarissa's uncle about reconciliation, suggests tactics to uncover Lovelace's secrets, and warns of a plot involving Captain Singleton. She provides extensive consolation, arguing that Clarissa's suffering will serve as a better example than her former prosperity, and urges her not to despair.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Loyalty
Anna's unwavering support for Clarissa, defying her mother and risking her own safety to offer consolation and advice, exemplifies deep friendship and loyalty.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Anna reveals Lovelace's true villainous nature, contrasting his charming appearance with his history of betraying women like Miss Betterton and Miss Lockyer.
Suffering and Redemption
Anna argues that Clarissa's trials will lead to a better example of virtue and redemption, suggesting that adversity brings out graces that prosperity could not.
Characters to notice
- Anna Howe
Writes passionately to Clarissa, defying her mother's restrictions and vowing to continue their correspondence. She reveals new intelligence about Lovelace's villainous past and offers to sound Clarissa's uncle.
- Clarissa Harlowe
The recipient of Anna's letter. Anna urges her not to despair, praises her past virtues, and argues that her trials will make her an example of watchfulness and redemption.
- Robert Lovelace
Anna denounces him as a villain, citing his history with Miss Betterton and Miss Lockyer. She warns Clarissa that he leads a gang of betrayers and advises her to flee him.
- James Harlowe Jr.
Anna reports that Clarissa's brother has not abandoned his foolish plot, as evidenced by a sailor-like fellow seeking access to Clarissa under the pretense of Captain Singleton's service.
- Colonel Morden
Mentioned as the source of a letter enclosed in Clarissa's previous correspondence, which moved Anna to tears.
Key passages
“I will write! No man shall write for me. No woman shall hinder me from writing.”
Anna asserts her independence and determination to continue writing to Clarissa despite any opposition.
Anna defies her mother's authority and societal expectations to maintain her correspondence.
“The man is really a villain, my dear! an execrable one! if all be true that I have heard!”
Anna declares that Lovelace is a despicable villain based on information she has received.
Anna reveals her new knowledge of Lovelace's criminal past, urging Clarissa to question him about Miss Betterton and Miss Lockyer.
“I wish, my dear, as you hint, that both you and I have not too much prided ourselves in a perhaps too conscious superiority over others.”
Anna reflects that their sense of superiority may have led to their current troubles.
Anna connects their pride to the misfortunes they face, suggesting a moral lesson in humility.
“the time of adversity is your shining-time.”
Anna tells Clarissa that her suffering reveals her true virtues and graces.
Anna encourages Clarissa to see her trials as an opportunity to demonstrate exemplary character.
