# Letter 25: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Clarissa writes to Anna Howe detailing her continued imprisonment and the family's pressure to marry Solmes. She describes her mother's refusal to intervene, her father's angry rejection of her plea for mercy, and her brother's manipulative influence. Clarissa expresses hope that her cousin Morden's return from Florence might save her, but fears a forced marriage before his arrival.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family Obligation and Rebellion

Clarissa's defiance of her parents' command to marry Solmes, and her father's angry rejection of her plea, underscore the conflict between filial duty and personal autonomy.

### Power and Manipulation

The Harlowes use confinement, dismissal of servants, and collective pressure to force Clarissa's compliance, while her brother manipulates family dynamics against her.

## Character check-ins

### Clarissa Harlowe

Narrates her distress over family coercion, confinement, and the loss of her servant Hannah.

### Anna Howe

Recipient of Clarissa's letter; Clarissa shares her plight and copies of family correspondence.

### Mrs. Harlowe

Writes a harsh letter to Clarissa, refusing to intervene and blaming her for the family discord.

### Mr. John Harlowe

Sends an angry, dismissive reply to Clarissa's plea, banishing her from his presence.

### James Harlowe Jr.

Implied as the instigator behind the family's harsh measures; Clarissa blames him for her troubles.

## Key lines

> Can such measures be supposed to soften?—But surely they can only mean to try and frighten me into my brother’s views!

Clarissa questions whether harsh treatment can win her over, suspecting it is merely an attempt to intimidate her into accepting her brother's plans.

_Clarissa expresses skepticism about the family's coercive tactics._

> I am far from thinking all I do right. I am afraid this is a little piece of art, that is not so.

Clarissa admits she is not sure her actions are entirely proper, and worries that her letter to her mother was a small deception.

_Clarissa reflects on the moral ambiguity of her own stratagems._

> Your father takes it upon himself to be answerable for all consequences. You must not therefore apply to me for favour.

Mrs. Harlowe tells Clarissa that her father has assumed full responsibility for the outcome, so she should not seek help from her mother.

_Mrs. Harlowe distances herself from Clarissa's plight, deferring to paternal authority._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-25-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters