# Letter 309: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Mrs. Judith Norton explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Clarissa writes to Mrs. Norton, expressing her distress over a new trouble: her only other friend, Miss Howe, is now displeased with her, accusing her of a flaw in her character. Clarissa laments the weight of multiple afflictions and her broken heart. She rejects any thought of being with Lovelace, though she admits she once could have loved him. She longs for a last forgiveness from her family but feels uncertain how to approach them, considering writing to her mother or sister. She also sympathizes with Mrs. Norton's own troubles and promises to remember her and her son in her prayers.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Agency and Virtue

Clarissa's concern over Miss Howe's accusation of a flaw in her character highlights the societal pressure on women to maintain an unblemished reputation, and her desire for a last forgiveness underscores her struggle for moral agency within a restrictive family system.

### Suffering and Redemption

Clarissa describes her heart as broken and her patience at an end, yet she seeks a last forgiveness from her family, reflecting a quest for redemption amid profound suffering.

## Character check-ins

### Clarissa Harlowe

Expresses deep sorrow over Miss Howe's displeasure and her own broken heart; rejects Lovelace utterly but admits she once could have loved him; seeks a last forgiveness from her family.

### Mrs. Judith Norton

Addressed as Clarissa's only soothing friend; Clarissa sympathizes with her afflictions and promises to remember her and her son in prayers.

### Anna Howe

Mentioned as being utterly displeased with Clarissa, having sent a severe letter accusing her of a flaw in character; Clarissa still values her as an invaluable person.

### Robert Lovelace

Referred to as the ungrateful man by whom Clarissa has suffered; she would choose death rather than be his, though she once could have loved him.

## Key lines

> I ought not, especially at this time, to add to your afflictions—but yet I cannot help communicating to you (who now are my only soothing friend) a new trouble that has befallen me.

Clarissa apologizes for burdening Mrs. Norton with more bad news, but feels compelled to share a fresh distress with her only comforting confidante.

_Clarissa acknowledges the weight of her troubles on her friend._

> I would choose the cruellest death rather than to be his.

Clarissa declares she would rather die a painful death than marry Lovelace.

_Emphasizes her absolute rejection of Lovelace._

> Calamity has not yet given me the assurance to address myself to my father.

Clarissa feels too humbled by her misfortunes to dare write to her father directly.

_Shows her fear and respect for paternal authority._

## Links

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