Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 318: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained
Clarissa forgives Anna for her earlier harsh letter and thanks her for the opportunity to explain herself.
What happens
Clarissa forgives Anna for her earlier harsh letter and thanks her for the opportunity to explain herself. She agrees to provide a full account of her sufferings, though she doubts Anna will see it until after her death. Clarissa expresses her despair and longing for death, rejects the idea of a public prosecution, and reveals how Lovelace intercepted Anna's crucial letter through a deceitful scheme involving Mrs. Bevis impersonating her at Hampstead. She laments the loss of that letter, which could have saved her, and reflects on the mystery of how Lovelace tracked her and gained credit through the impostor Tomlinson.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Clarissa details how Lovelace used Mrs. Bevis to impersonate her, intercepting a crucial letter and perpetuating his deceit.
Suffering and Redemption
Clarissa's deep despair, longing for death, and hope for happiness after life reflect her suffering and search for redemption.
Characters to notice
- Clarissa Harlowe
Writes to forgive Anna and share her sorrowful narrative; expresses longing for death and rejection of public prosecution.
- Anna Howe
Forgiven by Clarissa for her earlier letter; her intercepted letters are revealed to have been crucial to Lovelace's schemes.
- Robert Lovelace
Described as the wicked man who orchestrated the interception of Anna's letter through Mrs. Bevis's impersonation; his contrivances are condemned.
- Miss Rawlins
Corresponds with Clarissa, providing details of Lovelace's scheme and expressing shock at his villainy.
- Mrs. Bevis
Duped by Lovelace into impersonating Clarissa to intercept Anna's letter; her intentions are excused by Miss Rawlins.
Key passages
“Forgive you, my dear!—Most cordially do I forgive you—Will you forgive me for some sharp things I wrote in return to yours of the 5th?”
Clarissa fully forgives Anna and asks for forgiveness in return for her own harsh words.
Opening reconciliation between the two friends.
“I am far from thinking myself out of the reach of this man’s further violence. But what can I do? Whither can I fly?”
Clarissa feels vulnerable to Lovelace's continued threats and sees no escape.
Expresses her helplessness and fear.
“I would sooner suffer every evil (the repetition of the capital one excepted) than appear publicly in a court to do myself justice.”
Clarissa would endure any hardship except being raped again rather than face a public trial.
Her refusal to prosecute Lovelace in court.
“the vile wretch prevailed upon Mrs. Bevis to personate me, (a sudden motion of his, it seems, on the appearance of your messenger), and persuaded her to lie along a couch: a handkerchief over her neck and face; pretending to be ill”
Lovelace tricked Mrs. Bevis into pretending to be Clarissa by lying on a couch with a handkerchief over her face to intercept Anna's letter.
Revelation of the interception scheme.