# Letter 28: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Clarissa rebukes Anna for her harsh criticisms of the Harlowe family, especially her mother, and defends her father's behavior as stemming from illness and love. She rejects Anna's advice to litigate for her estate, insists on her duty to her parents, and cautiously acknowledges a possible partiality for Lovelace while denying it is love. She also defends Mr. Solmes's person but not his character, and reaffirms the terms of their friendship.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family Obligation and Rebellion

Clarissa insists on her duty to her parents despite their harsh treatment, rejecting Anna's advice to litigate.

### Female Agency and Virtue

Clarissa asserts her own moral judgment, defending her mother and defining the limits of her own feelings.

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Clarissa distinguishes between Mr. Solmes's tolerable person and his contemptible mind, and questions the true nature of her feelings for Lovelace.

## Character check-ins

### Clarissa Harlowe

Defends her parents against Anna's criticisms, reaffirms her duty, and cautiously admits a possible bias toward Lovelace.

### Anna Howe

Chastised by Clarissa for her severe reflections on the Harlowes and for imputing love to Clarissa.

### Mr. Solmes

Clarissa concedes his person is not as horrible as Anna paints him, but his mind is contemptible.

### Robert Lovelace

Clarissa acknowledges he might be liked if his character were better, and that violent measures could drive her to a conditional liking.

### Mrs. Harlowe

Defended by Clarissa as a meek wife who yields to her husband's affliction and love.

### Mr. Hickman

Held up as a model of unexceptionable character, contrasted with Lovelace.

## Key lines

> I cannot help owning, however, that I am pleased to have you join with me in opinion of the contempt which Mr. Solmes deserves from me.

I admit I am glad you agree with me that Mr. Solmes is contemptible.

_Clarissa acknowledges shared disdain for Solmes while tempering Anna's harshness._

> I am determined not to litigate with my father, let what will be the consequence to myself.

I will not take my father to court over the estate, no matter what happens to me.

_Clarissa firmly rejects legal action against her father._

> I cannot but say—that this man—this Lovelace—is a man that might be liked well enough, if he bore such a character as Mr. Hickman bears; and even if there were hopes of reclaiming him.

I must admit that Lovelace could be likable if he had Hickman's good character and showed signs of reform.

_Clarissa cautiously reveals a possible partiality for Lovelace._

## Links

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