Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 2: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained
Clarissa writes to Anna Howe, responding to her praise with humility and confessing that she often borrows Anna's ideas.
What happens
Clarissa writes to Anna Howe, responding to her praise with humility and confessing that she often borrows Anna's ideas. She describes the family turmoil following the 'unhappy transaction' and her own distress at being blamed. She then recounts the history of Mr. Lovelace's courtship of her sister Arabella, detailing Arabella's initial infatuation, her confusion at Lovelace's reserved behavior, and her eventual refusal of his proposal after a quarrel. Clarissa reflects on the dynamics of courtship and her sister's character.
Themes in this chapter
Family Obligation and Rebellion
Clarissa bears the blame for family discord and feels estranged from her brother and sister due to her grandfather's bequest, highlighting tensions between duty and personal grievance.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Arabella misinterprets Lovelace's bashfulness as modesty, and Clarissa reflects on the dissembling roles women must play in courtship, as illustrated by the quoted poem.
Class and Social Reputation
Lovelace's wealth, inheritance, and family connections are emphasized as key factors in his suitability as a suitor, reflecting the importance of social standing.
Characters to notice
- Clarissa Harlowe
Narrator and letter-writer; expresses humility, distress over family discord, and provides a detailed account of her sister's courtship with Lovelace.
- Anna Howe
Recipient of the letter; praised by Clarissa for her politeness and insight, though Clarissa playfully questions her judgment.
- Arabella Harlowe
Clarissa's sister; initially pleased with Lovelace, then confused by his reserve, and ultimately refuses his proposal after a quarrel.
- Robert Lovelace
Suitor to Arabella; described as handsome, wealthy, and wild, but also bashful in courtship; his behavior leads to Arabella's refusal.
- Antony Harlowe
Uncle who, with Lord M., arranged Lovelace's introduction to the family as a suitor to Arabella.
- Mrs. Harlowe
Mother of Clarissa and Arabella; Lovelace is noted to have been more solicitous of her opinion than of Arabella's.
Key passages
“How you oppress me, my dearest friend, with your politeness!”
Your excessive compliments overwhelm me, my dearest friend.
Clarissa opens the letter by expressing discomfort at Anna's praise.
“Our family has indeed been strangely discomposed. — Discomposed! —It has been in tumults, ever since the unhappy transaction; and I have borne all the blame;”
Our family has been in turmoil since that unfortunate event, and I have been blamed for everything.
Clarissa describes the family discord and her role as the scapegoat.
“I will begin, as you command, with Mr. Lovelace’s address to my sister; and be as brief as possible.”
As you requested, I will start with Mr. Lovelace's courtship of my sister and keep it short.
Clarissa agrees to Anna's request for a history of Lovelace's initial pursuit of Arabella.
“So handsome a man! —O her beloved Clary! (for then she was ready to love me dearly, from the overflowings of her good humour on his account!)”
She called him so handsome and, in her good mood, professed great affection for me.
Clarissa recalls Arabella's initial enthusiasm for Lovelace and her temporary warmth toward Clarissa.
“A good encouraging denial, I must own: as was the rest of her plea; to wit, 'A disinclination to change her state. Exceedingly happy as she was: she never could be happier!'”
It was a denial that actually encouraged him, as she claimed to be too happy to change her situation.
Clarissa interprets Arabella's refusal as a 'consenting negative' typical of courtship rituals.
