# Letter 181: Miss Howe, to Mrs. Judith Norton explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Anna Howe writes to Mrs. Norton defending Clarissa's honor and condemning the Harlowe family's tyranny. She asserts that Clarissa is blameless and that her elopement with Lovelace was driven by her family's harsh treatment.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Agency and Virtue

Anna Howe insists on Clarissa's inviolate honor, defending her agency and virtue against accusations.

### Family Obligation and Rebellion

Anna condemns the Harlowe parents as tyrants, highlighting the conflict between familial duty and Clarissa's forced rebellion.

## Character check-ins

### Anna Howe

Author of the letter; expresses fierce loyalty to Clarissa and anger toward the Harlowe family.

### Mrs. Judith Norton

Recipient of the letter; a trusted confidante and former nurse to Clarissa.

### Clarissa Harlowe

Defended by Anna as blameless and of inviolate honor; the victim of her family's tyranny.

### Robert Lovelace

Referred to as 'this man' and Clarissa's current refuge; Anna expresses regret that Clarissa is now tied to him.

### Mrs. Harlowe

Mentioned as a mother who is pitied by Mrs. Norton but not by Anna; criticized for failing to show maternal love.

## Key lines

> Your beloved’s honour is inviolate!⁠— Must be inviolate! and will be so, in spite of men and devils.

Your beloved Clarissa's honor is untouched and must remain so, regardless of any opposition.

_Anna asserts Clarissa's purity and steadfast virtue._

> I hate tyrants in every form and shape: but paternal and maternal tyrants are the worst of all: for they can have no bowels.

I despise all tyrants, but parents who act as tyrants are the worst because they lack compassion.

_Anna expresses her strong condemnation of the Harlowe parents' harsh treatment._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-181-miss-howe-to-mrs-judith-norton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters