Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 307: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Mrs. Norton explained
Clarissa writes to Mrs.
What happens
Clarissa writes to Mrs. Norton, expressing deep anguish and gratitude for her comforting letter. She reflects on her fall from grace, insists she was not complicit in Lovelace's schemes, and reveals she was drugged and raped. She forbids Mrs. Norton from visiting, fearing it would endanger her or expose her location. Clarissa also mentions a letter to Anna Howe that fell into Mrs. Howe's hands, and expresses hope for her father's forgiveness while fearing his curse.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Redemption
Clarissa endures immense suffering, appeals to God for vindication, and hopes for mercy despite her father's curse.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Clarissa reveals Lovelace's premeditated plan of villainy and the false appearances that led to her ruin.
Characters to notice
- Clarissa Harlowe
Writes to Mrs. Norton in a state of profound grief, reflecting on her ruin and asserting her innocence against Lovelace's premeditated villainy.
- Mrs. Judith Norton
The recipient of Clarissa's letter, offering comfort and counsel; Clarissa forbids her from visiting.
- Robert Lovelace
Referred to as the 'wretched man' and 'cruel spoiler' who used 'stupifying potions' and 'brutal and outrageous force' to ruin Clarissa.
- Anna Howe
Clarissa mentions a letter to her that was intercepted by Mrs. Howe, causing further distress.
- Mrs. Harlowe
Clarissa hopes Mrs. Norton's mediation with her mother might help revoke her father's curse.
Key passages
“I was at last ruined by arts the most inhuman.”
I was ultimately destroyed by the most cruel and deceitful methods.
Clarissa attributes her downfall to Lovelace's inhuman tricks.
“What need had the cruel spoiler to have recourse to unprecedented arts—I will speak out plainer still, (but you must not at present report it), to stupifying potions, and to the most brutal and outrageous force, had I been wanting in my duty?”
Why would the cruel destroyer have needed to use unheard-of tricks—I'll say it more clearly, though you must keep it secret—drugging me and using brutal force, if I had failed in my duty?
Clarissa reveals that she was drugged and raped, asserting her innocence.
“May those be forgiven who hinder my father from forgiving me!”
I hope those who prevent my father from forgiving me will themselves be forgiven.
Clarissa expresses a wish for forgiveness for those who obstruct her reconciliation with her father.